Clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture stimulation based on mismatch negativity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness

Background The use of electroacupuncture can regulate brain activity, facilitating consciousness recovery. Objective To investigate the clinical effectiveness of electroacupuncture at the Cuanzhu (BL2) and Sibai (ST2) accupoints on patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DOCs), and evaluate its awakening value. Methods A total of 48 patients with prolonged DOCs were randomly divided into the control and electroacupuncture groups by the random number table method. The electroacupuncture group underwent treatment at the Cuanzhu (BL2) and Sibai acupoints (ST2) and was given electrical stimulation (2/100 Hz), while the control group received sham electroacupuncture stimulation for 3 weeks. Mismatch negativity (MMN) tests were administered to both groups before and after the intervention. Comprehensive assessments were performed using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to compare the arousal rate and prognosis between the groups. Results After treatment, both groups of patients showed a significant increase in MMN amplitudes and a reduction in latency (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in MMN amplitudes and latency between groups after treatment. The awakening rate in the electroacupuncture group was 70.8%, and 54.2% in the control group. The difference between groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Sibai (ST2) may improve consciousness in patients with prolonged DOCs, but its therapeutic effect is not statistically superior to sham electroacupuncture. Due to the present study's small sample size and population heterogeneity, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.