Vegetative patients (Persistent Vegetative State, PVS) represent a severe form of Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (pDoC). It refers to a special state of unconsciousness without perception that occurs after brain injury due to various causes. Currently, most scholars believe that PVS is defined as a vegetative survival state lasting for more than one month without any signs of awakening [1]. Subsequently, some scholars argued that, out of humanitarian considerations, the term "unresponsive wakefulness syndrome" should replace "vegetative state" for naming this condition [2]. Due to the patients' inability to cooperate with physical examinations and tests, the misdiagnosis rate for such patients is as high as over 40% [3]. However, with the intervention of current medical approaches, there is still a possibility of vegetative patients waking up. On this basis, the costs generated during the awakening process and subsequent supportive treatments have become a major concern. Currently, Western medicine has limited treatment methods for awakening vegetative patients, and no new treatment means have emerged in recent years. The treatment of traditional Chinese medicine is gradually showing its advantages, especially acupuncture treatment. This article is based on the theory of "Marrow Damage and Spirit Injury" proposed by Chief Physician Chen Xiao [4], combined with modern neuroinflammatory mechanisms, covering aspects such as the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine, modern medical mechanisms, and clinical research evidence. It systematically reviews the intervention mechanism of the Tiaosui Xingshen Method (TSXSF) in awakening vegetative patients. Research shows that TSXSF regulates the IL-10/NF-κB signaling pathway by acupuncture at specific acupoints (such as Shuigou, Neiguan, Baihui, etc.), inhibits the neuroinflammatory response, improves cerebral blood flow and neural functional connectivity, thereby promoting the recovery of consciousness. This article integrates clinical research data and molecular biological evidence to clarify the multi-target intervention mechanism of TSXSF, aiming to provide a more in-depth theoretical basis and practical reference for the treatment of vegetative patients.

Mengting He, Xiao Chen. The Intervention Mechanism of the "Regulating Marrow and Awakening Spirit" Method on the Efficacy of Awakening Vegetative Patients. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences(2025), Vol. 6, Issue 3: 47-52. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2025.060308.

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