Objective To examine the clinical effect of acupuncture in treating EV71 type severe hand-footmouth disease（ HFMD） complicated with dysphagia. Methods Sixty-six EV71 type severe HFMD complicated with dysphagia children patients were randomized into intervention group and control group

33 cases in each group.Both groups were given western medicine routine treatment. The intervention group was added acupuncture. The control group was given placebo needling（ medical tape fixed filiform needle without penetrating the skin） on the same points as the test group. Treatment was given five times a week totally for eight weeks. Bedside swallowing assessment（ BSA） scoring was made before and after treatment. After treatment

24-hour sputum suction times and the interval time of sputum suction were recorded. Safety and clinical effect was evaluated. Results The cure rate in the intervention group was 70. 97%; the total effective rate was 90. 32%

which was superior to 39. 39% and 69. 69% in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. After treatment

BSA scores in both groups decreased and the intervention group was lower than the control group（ P < 0. 05）. After treatment

24-hour sputum suction times in the intervention group was less than that in the control group; the interval time of sputum suction was longer than that in the control group（ P <0. 05）. Swelling and bruise in acupuncture points occurred in two cases in the intervention group. Conclusion Acupuncture intervention might improve the clinical effect in treating EV71 type severe HFMD and improve symptoms of dysphagia in children patients.