Acupuncture improves PD symptoms and helps Parkinson’s patients gradually stop medication.

An acupuncture technique called “the seven acupoints of the cranial base” is reported to improve clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and help Parkinson’s patients gradually stopped medications for two weeks after acupuncture treatment. It was published in journal Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion recently.

The seven acupoints of cranial base consists of DU15, bilateral BL10, GB20 and GB12 and is located at the very place of cranial bottom. It is believed that the function pattern of the seven acupoints echoes the brain resting-state network.

Researchers in China conducted the clinical study to assess the effectiveness of the seven acupoints of the cranial base in patients with Parkinson’s. Forty nine patients with Parkinson’s were assessed using Webster scores and categorized as early illness (<10 scores, n=4), moderate (11-20 scores, n=43) and advanced (21-25 scores, n=2). Before acupuncture 36 patients were treated with Madopar other patients were given other medications. All patients were given electroacupuncture at the seven acupoints for 30min, 3 times a week.

Patients with early stage of PD stopped taking medication after 3 times of acupuncture, but continued acupuncture treatment for a further 6 times. Patients with moderate PD reduced their medication to half dosage after having 3-time acupuncture, and stopped taking medication after 6^th acupuncture, but continued acupuncture treatment for a further 6 times. Advanced patients reduced their medication by a third after 3-time acupuncture, and reduced their medication to half dosage after 6^th acupuncture treatment, then stopped medication after 10^th acupuncture, but continued acupuncture treatment for a further 9 times. There was no adverse effect and complication during and after acupuncture treatment.

Before acupuncture the average of Webster scores was 16.74±3.35 and it was significantly reduced to 11.50±4.17 after acupuncture treatment. Approximately 87% of patients with PD stopped medication for two weeks after last acupuncture treatment and maintained good improvement of their symptoms.

It will be interesting to know the outcome of the follow-up study.

Reference:

Yuan Y et al., [Forty-nine cases of Parkinson's disease treated by acupuncture adjunctive therapy]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 Jan;34(1):53-4. Chinese.