Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with integrated Chinese-Western neuromuscular facilitation technique on persistent vegetative state (PVS).Methods41 PVS cases were randomly divided into the observation group (n=21) and control group (n=20). The observation group was treated with acupuncture, neuromuscular facilitation technique combined with reasonable obligatory exercise, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, manipulation treatment and Chinese medicine. The control group was treated with the Western and Chinese medicines, and hyperbaric oxygen.ResultsAfter 1～3 months treatment, 7 cases cured,8 cases were markedly effective, 5 cases were effective, 1 cases were ineffective in the observation group with a total markedly effective rate (71.4%) and effective rate (95.2%). While, in the control group, 3 cases cured, 5 cases were markedly effective, 6 cases were effective, 6 cases were ineffective and total markedly effective rate was 40%, effective rate was 70%. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the total markedly effective rate and the effective rate ( P<0.05). The average PVS score increased by 7.46±1.22 in the observation group and 4.59±1.21 in the control group. Also there was a significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.001).ConclusionThe therapy of acupuncture combined with integrated Chinese-Western neuromuscular facilitation technique can markedly promote PVS patients coming round and improve patients' prognosis.

Key words: acupuncture, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, neuromuscular facilitation technique, persistent vegetative state