Objective: Observing the short-term effect of acupuncture treatment for vascular dementia.

Methods: Dividing 74 dementias into 2 groups, i.e. Qi fa Group containing 39 cases, and Control Group 35 cases: (1) Qi fa Group: Principal points applied in the treatment: Baihui (GV 20), Naohu (GV 17), Qihai (CV 6), Shuigou (GV26); Supplementary points: 8 points of intelligent turtle needling, i.e. Neiguan (PC 6), Gongsun (SP 4), Zulinqi (GB 41), Houxi (SI 3), Shenmai (BL 62), Lieque (LU7), zhaohai (KI 6) (The points were selected according to the date and the time of needling); Additional points: Taixi (KI3), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Mingmen (GV 4) for insufficiency of brain marrow; Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3) for deficiency of the liver and kidney; Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Mingmen (GV 4) for deficiency of the spleen and kidney; Xingjian (LR 2), Shaofu (HT 8),Waiguan (TE 5) for hyperactivity of the liver and heart fire; Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Pishu (BL 20) for phlegm misting the brain; Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4), Tanzhong (CV 17) for Qi and blood stagnation; (2) Control Group: Jin San Zhen Therapy (Jin's 3 needle therapy): Principal points: Si Shen Cong 1.5 cun lateral to Baihui (GV 20), Zhi San Zhen: Benshen (GB 13), Shenting (GV 24); Supplementary points: Shenmen (HT 7), Taixi (KI 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39); Additional points: Same as those in Qi fa Group. Conventional sterilization was applied, a 1-1.5 cun needle was respectively inserted into each point. After the arrival of needle sensation the needles were connected to G6805-I Electric Stimulator, with was in continuos wave, 45 times/min., the volume of the stimulation was sent to the tolerance of the Patient. Needles were retained for 30 minutes. Treatment was given once per day,5 sessions constituted one course of treatment. There were 2 days free of treatment between 2 courses, 6 courses were applied totally.

Results: The total improved and effective rate in the Qi fa Group was 82.05%, and 85.71% in the Control GrouP. In comparison between the two groups' results, there was no remarkable difference (P>0.05). In the two groups, the items of HDS, ADL, MUSE, DSM-ill-R of Mental and Intelligence Assessment Test, 3 items of serum SOD and NO, NE, E, TRP were observed with apparent improvement after the treatment (P 0.05).

Conclusion: The eight meridian needling therapy in treating VD is an effective therapy. via selecting the point according to date to stimulate the eight extra meridians, their function of governing and regulating the meridians of the entire body is performed, so that the potentiality of the organism is activated, pathogenic factors eliminated, organic balance obtained, nourishment of the nervous system improved, self regulation and compensation of the brain Promoted, and the nervous function of studying and memorizing benefited, thus, intelligence of the patient is improved.

By Lai XinSheng & Yu Jin