Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Buqi Jiannao Tongluo Tang combined with acupuncture in improving ischemic stroke (syndrome of blood stasis due to qi deficiency) at recovery phase and its effect on serum S-100B protein (S-100B) and homocysteine(Hcy). Method: Ninety-six cases patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into acupuncture group (48 cases) and observation group (48 cases) according to their hospitalization sequence. All cases were given with conventional medical treatment and rehabilitation training for limbs. Patients in acupuncture group received the therapy of acupuncture (3 times/week). On the basis of acupuncture group

the patients in treatment group were also treated with Buqi Jiannao Tongluo Tang (1 dose/day

bid) with conventional water frying. The treatment course was 8 weeks for both groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by Brunstrom method. Muscle strength and Fugl-Meyer motor scale(FMMS) for upper and lower limbs

activities of daily living (BI index)

Berg balance scale(BBS) and walking ability were assessed before and after treatment in both groups. Serum levels of S-100B and Hcy were detected before and after treatment in both groups. Result: The total effective rate was 87.5% in observation group

superior to 68.75% in acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment

muscle strength scores for upper and lower limbs in observation group were significantly lower than those in acupuncture group(P<0.01)

while FMMS scores were significantly higher than those in acupuncture group(P<0.01). After treatment

BI and BBS scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those of acupuncture group (P<0.01)

and score for walking ability of observation group was lower than that in acupuncture group after treatment (P<0.01). S-100B and Hcy serum levels in observation group were significantly lower than those of acupuncture group after treatment with statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: On the basis of conventional medical treatment and rehabilitation training for limbs

Buqi Jiannao Tongluo Tang combined with acupuncture can improve muscle strength and motor function for upper and lower limbs

activity of daily living

ability of balance

and walking ability

and reduce serum levels of S-100B and Hcy for the treatment of ischemic stroke (syndrome of blood stasis due to qi deficiency) at recovery phase.