Effect of acupuncture on cerebrovascular reserve in patients with acute cerebral infarction: protocol for a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background The incidence of cerebral infarction has been growing year by year in China and around the world. According to clinical observation, acupuncture utilizing the “waking up the spirit” needling method is widely used in patients with cerebral infarction, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Additionally, a number of studies have begun to focus on the relationship between cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) and cerebral infarction. The present study aims to investigate whether CVR is one of potential mechanisms underpinning this effect of acupuncture on patients with cerebral infarction.