[Computer-controlled acupuncture. A new construction for simultaneous measurement of blood flow velocity of the supratrochlear and middle cerebral arteries].

Acupuncture has been used for over 5,000 years and a large body of evidence exists. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound, introduced more than a decade ago, has evolved into a dynamic, reliable, reproducible and practical diagnostic tool. In this study we describe simultaneous and continuous TCD monitoring of the supratrochlear and middle cerebral arteries in two patients with ophthalmologic diseases undergoing computer-controlled acupuncture (CCA). During eye acupuncture scheme there was a significant increase in the mean bloodflow velocity (vm) of the A. supratrochlearis (+39% patient 1; +15% patient 2; p < 0.001, t-test) in both patients. The effect was still evident after the needles were removed. There was a smaller increase (+4% and +3%; n.s.) of vm in the A. cerebri media. These results suggest that eye acupuncture could have a specific effect on intra- and extracerebral arteries. CCA might improve the quality of acupuncture.