Case report: Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture for a patient with persistent vegetative state after herpes simplex virus encephalitis

Bingxu Jin; Yuyuan Tang; Yunyun Wu; Zhenhuan Liu

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.896721

Frontiers in Neurology (Oct 2022)

Case report: Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture for a patient with persistent vegetative state after herpes simplex virus encephalitis

Bingxu Jin,
Yuyuan Tang,
Yunyun Wu,
Zhenhuan Liu

Affiliations

Bingxu Jin: Department of Rehabilitation, Panyu Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
Yuyuan Tang: Clinical Research and Big Data Laboratory, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
Yunyun Wu: Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
Zhenhuan Liu: Department of Children Rehabilitation, Nanhai Maternity and Children Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Foshan, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.896721
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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IntroductionA persistent vegetative state (PVS) can be caused by traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury. PVS is a complex clinical condition with numerous complications. Nursing care, medical treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation are necessary to improve the outcomes of PVS. However, the prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Acupuncture therapy has been used as a rehabilitation strategy to treat patients with PVS in China, showing better results in the recovery of consciousness, intellectual capability, and motor function.Case descriptionWe present the case of a 4-month-long PVS after herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) in a 3.5-year-old boy who underwent Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture integrated with Western medicine and rehabilitation. The patient regained consciousness post-treatment. His intelligence and motor function gradually recovered after seven treatment sessions.ConclusionTongdu Xingshen acupuncture is a potential complementary therapy to optimize clinical outcomes in PVS.

Published in Frontiers in Neurology

ISSN: 1664-2295 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/

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