Evaluation of effect of acupuncture treatment on carotid arteriosclerosis plaque by three-dimensional ultrasound VPQ technology

摘要

Objective:To evaluate the structural changes of atherosclerotic plaque before and after acupuncture treatment by three-dimensional ultrasound of Vascular Plaque Quantification technology.Methods:Forty subjects were recruited and randomly divided into acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group.All patients were treated twice a week for 3 months and were observed the changes of the bilateral carotid plaque volume(PV),gray scale value(GSM)and inner media thickness(IMT).Results:The acupuncture group’s PV decreased after 3 months,while the sham group’s increased slightly.The result were statistically significant(P≤0.05).After treatment,the acupuncture group’s left GSM was higher than before,while the sham group’s was slightly lower than before.The result were statistically significant(P≤0.05).Although the difference of the acupuncture group’s right GSM before and after treatment was not statistically significant,it also had a rising trend.Conclusion:Acupuncture can reduce the volume of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and stabilize the nature of the plaque.