Study on the Cerebral Blood Flow Regulatory Features of Acupuncture at Acupoints of the Governor Vessel

Background: Many studies to clarify the influences of acupuncture at different acupoints of various meridians on cerebral blood flow (CBF) were conducted in the past. However, the influences of acupuncture at the points of the Governor Vessel on CBF have not yet been studied tangibly. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of acupuncture at individual acupoints of the Governor Vessel on cerebral hemodynamic indices. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy-nine patients with chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCCI) were observed, using a cerebrovascular disease diagnosis system (CVD 3000, KCC, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea). Various hemodynamic indices-such as vascular compliance, hemodynamic resistance, and blood flow quantity-were compared before and after acupuncture at individual acupoints of the Governor Vessel. Results: The influences of the points of Governor Vessel on CBF were different from each other, and systemic specificity of the Governor Vessel did not emerge. The largest number of indices showed significant changes when GV 16 was punctured, and the effects of GV 16, GV 20, and GV 14 on the head and the neck were relatively better than those of the points on the trunk. Conclusions: The points on the head and the neck of the Governor Vessel improve CBF biphasic regulation relatively better than the points on the trunk.