Case report: Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture for a patient with persistent vegetative state after herpes simplex virus encephalitis

INTRODUCTION: A persistent vegetative state (PVS) can be caused by traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury. PVS is a complex clinical condition with numerous complications. Nursing care, medical treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation are necessary to improve the outcomes of PVS. However, the prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Acupuncture therapy has been used as a rehabilitation strategy to treat patients with PVS in China, showing better results in the recovery of consciousness, intellectual capability, and motor function. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 4-month-long PVS after herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) in a 3.5-year-old boy who underwent Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture integrated with Western medicine and rehabilitation. The patient regained consciousness post-treatment. His intelligence and motor function gradually recovered after seven treatment sessions. CONCLUSION: Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture is a potential complementary therapy to optimize clinical outcomes in PVS.