Objective <p>To evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating mechanically ventilated patients with ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD).</p> Methods <p>A total of 40 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation with VIDD were randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group, with 20 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received routine clinical treatment. In addition, patients in the intervention group received EA treatment once every 12 h for a duration of 20 min per session, continuing this regimen for 1 week. Patients in the control group received sham EA. The primary efficacy endpoint (diaphragmatic excursion) and other diaphragmatic ultrasound indicators were measured at baseline and on days 1, 2, and 3 after mechanical ventilation. The oxygenation index was measured at baseline and on day 3 after mechanical ventilation. The success rate of weaning within 14 d and survival time were recorded.</p> Results <p>All 40 patients completed the clinical observation and trial. The diaphragm thickening fraction (TFdi), diaphragmatic excursion (DE), and excursion-time index (E-T) at baseline showed no significant differences between the two groups (<i>P</i>&gt;0.05). By comparing the values of TFdi, DE, and E-T on day 3 after mechanical ventilation, it was found that the intervention group was superior to the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). The success rate of weaning within 14 d was 65.0% and 25.0% in the intervention group and control group, respectively, and the survival time in the intervention group was longer than that in the control group, with statistical significance (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05).</p> Conclusion <p>EA treatment can improve VIDD, as evidenced by increased TFdi, DE, and E-T in the early stage of mechanical ventilation, and can establish conditions for successful weaning, thereby improving the prognosis of patients.</p>