Table 2.

Effects of EA at different parameters on cerebral ischemia

Group	Neurological Deficit	Infarct Volume	Death Rate
Ischemia	6.0 ± 1.0 (5 ∼ 7) (n = 25)	33.4 ± 3.1% (n = 12)	16.7% (5 out of30)
Ischemia+EA	1.0 ± 1.0 (0 ∼ 2) (n = 28)Δ	4.9 ± 1.2% (n = 12)☆	6.7% (2out of 30)▾
Ischemia+EA (0.4 mA)	6.0 ± 1.0 (5 ∼ 7) (n = 10)	32.3 ± 4.5% (10)	16.7% (2 out of 12)
Ischemia+EA (70 Hz)	6.0 ± 1.0 (5 ∼ 7) (n = 10)	34.3 ± 5.4% (10)	16.7% (2 out of 12)

Ischemia, rats were subjected to right MCAO for 1 h and reperfusion for 24 h. Ischemia+EA, electroacupuncture (EA; 1.0 mA, 5/20Hz, sparse-density wave) was delivered to the acupoints of Baihui (Du 20) and Shuigou (Du 26) of the ischemic rats for 30 min. Ischemia+EA (0.4mA): EA (0.4 mA, 5/20 Hz, sparse-density wave) was delivered to the acupoints of Baihui (Du 20) and Shuigou (Du 26) of the ischemic rats for 30 min. Ischemia+EA (70 Hz): EA (1.0 mA, 70 Hz) was delivered to the acupoints of Baihui (Du 20) and Shuigou (Du 26) of the ischemic rats for 30 min. All EA treatments started at 5 min after the onset of MCAO. ΔP < 0.01 vs. Ischemia (rank-sum test). ☆P < 0.01 vs. Ischemia (t-test). ▾P < 0.01 vs. Ischemia (χ² test). Note that EA with suitable parameters significantly reduced the neurological deficit, brain infarct volume, and death rate but EA with lower intensity or higher frequency did not reduce the neurological deficit, brain infarct volume and death rate.