Electro-acupuncture for prolonged disorders of consciousness

INTERVENTION: Rehabilitation nursing focused on optimising limb positioning and managing artificial airways. Rehabilitation techniques included joint range‐of‐motion exercises and breathing training. In addition to selecting the appropriate acupoints of the V1 and V2 branches of the trigeminal nerve (the bilateral superior orbital foramen and inferior orbital foramen, corresponding to Cuanzhu and Sibai), the electro‐acupuncture group also received Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture. The primary acupoints on the affected side were bilateral Neiguan, Renzhong, and Sanyinjiao, and the secondary acupoints were Jiquan, Chize, and Weizhong. Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Sibai (ST 2) were chosen based on neuroanatomical and clinical evidence: these acupoints correspond to the exit points of the ophthalmic (V1) and maxillary (V2) branches of the trigeminal nerve. Electrical stimulation at these sites can activate the trigeminal nerve branches, which project to the thalamus and prefrontal corte Xthrough the trigeminal–thalamic–cortical pathway. This activity may regulate the brainstem reticular activation system and prefrontal lobe functions related to consciousness. The stimulation parameters (2/100 Hz sparse‐dense wave, 1 mA) were selected based on previous Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture and trigeminal nerve stimulation studies. The 2/100 Hz frequency is commonly used in neurorehabilitation to balance excitatory and inhibitory neural activity, and 1 mA represents the maximum safe, tolerable intensity for patients. Studies have shown that this parameter combination can increase cerebral blood flow and promote neural cell survival. Procedure: The patient lies in the supine position. After disinfecting the skin with 75% ethanol, a disposable 0.35 mm × 40 mm Huatuo acupuncture needle (Suzhou Medical Supplies Fac CONDITION: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of electro‐acupuncture at Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Sibai (ST 2) acupoints in individuals with prolonged disorders of consciousness and assess the therapeutic impact of arousal therapy on such patients. ; Signs and Symptoms INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Fulfill the requirements for a chronic DOC diagnosis 2. Perform CT or magnetic resonance imaging scans to confirm that the patient has brain trauma, cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction, etc 3. Sign the informed permission form