Novel approach of ultrasound-guided lateral recess block for a patient with lateral recess stenosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Ultrasound guide technology,which can provide real-time visualization of the needle tip and tissues and avoid many adverse events,is widely used in mini-mally invasive therapy.However,the studies on ultrasound-guided Lateral recess block(LRB)are limited,this is probably because there is no recognized standard method for ultrasound scanning.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided LRB in patients with lateral recess stenosis(LRS).CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old patient complained of low back pain accompanied occasionally by pain and numbness in the left lower limb.Physical examination showed ten-derness on the spinous process and paraspinal muscles from L1 to S1,extensor hallucis longus and tibialis anterior weakness(muscle strength:4-),and a positive straight leg raising test in the left lower limb(60°).Magnetic resonance imaging showed L4–L5 disc degeneration with left LRS and nerve root entrapment.Subsequently,the patient was diagnosed with LRS.This patient was treated with a novel ultrasound-guided LRB approach.The patient’s symptoms significantly improved without any complications at 1 wk postoperatively and at the 3-month follow-up.CONCLUSION This is the first report on the LRS treatment with ultrasound-guided LRB from the contralateral spinous process along the inner side of the articular process by out-plane technique.Further studies are expected to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided LRB for patients with LRS.

Long-Term Active and Passive Horticultural Therapy Intervention for Elderly Patients with Moderate Dementia and AI Analysis of Medical Records and Care Documents

Background: Previous studies have shown that Hand Care Treatment, a form of passive horticultural therapy, is effective in preventing dementia and MCI and reducing the rate of progression. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, various activity restrictions were implemented in Japan from March 2020, and the number of elderly people without care and rehabilitation will the number of elderly people without care and rehabilitation has been increasing. Purpose: Progression of cognitive, physical, and mental disability was examined for long-term horticultural therapy study subjects by level of care required. Methods: One subject who had been diagnosed with dementia and was residing in an elderly care facility and consented to a long-term study was selected. In addition to assessments using various evaluation forms, data recorded from time to time, including changes in care plans, were analyzed using text mining methods. Results: This subject tended to progress slowly from 1 to 2 care needs, but progressed from 3 to 5 care needs over a 2-year period. The results of the assessment chart test showed that cognitive impairment and IADL decreased with each increase in the level of care required, but DBD remained the same at the time of admission, even at 5 years of care required. A comparison of HCT and aroma intervention with and without aroma intervention during the nursing care level 1 showed that the improvement in physical, mental, and cognitive function was expected to be higher at the time of intervention. Text-mining inspections have revealed that during the period of nursing care level 1 - 5, active horticultural therapy techniques, and passive horticultural therapy techniques such as HCT and brain rejuvenation aromatherapy were found to betweenness centrality with each other. Conclusion: From the results of mean score of DBD, although the nursing care level has progressed from 1 to a maximum of 5, it can be concluded that the burden of care has not become heavier. There was no tendency for the progression of cognitive impairment in this subject to be faster than in the general AD population, despite the influences of Covid-19. The results indicated that caregiving techniques and active and passive horticultural therapy techniques in Japanese welfare facilities for the elderly are expected to be effective in preventing the progression of cognitive impairment.

Research hotspots and trends in transcranial magnetic stimulation for cognitive impairment:A bibliometric analysis from 2014 to 2023

BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment,which manifests as a limited deterioration of specific functions associated with a particular disease,can lead to a general deterioration of the patient’s standard of living.Transcranial magnetic stimulation,a noninvasive neuromodulation technique,is frequently employed to treat cognitive impairment in neuropsychiatric disorders.AIM To analyzed the state of international research on neuromodulation methods for treating cognitive impairment between 2014 and 2023,with the aim of exploring the state of research worldwide and the most recent developments in this particular area.METHODS Articles and reviews pertaining to neuromodulation methods for cognitive impairment were examined using the web of science database between January 2014 and December 2023.Publications,nations,organizations,writers,journals,citations,and keywords data from the identified studies were systematically analyzed using the CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software.RESULTS A total of 2371 documents with 11750 authors and 9461 institutions,with some cooccurrences,were retrieved.The quantity of yearly publications is showing an increasing trend.The United States and China have emerged as important contributors.Among the institutes,Harvard University had the highest number of publications,while Rossi S an author who is frequently cited.Initially,the primary keywords included human motor cortex,placebo-controlled trials,and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.However,the emphasis gradually moved to substance use disorders,supplementary motor areas,neural mechanisms,and exercise.CONCLUSION The use of neuromodulation techniques to treat cognitive impairment has drawn interest from academics all around the world.This study revealed hotspots and new trends in the research of transcranial magnetic stimulation as a cognitive impairment rehabilitation treatment.These findings are hold significant potential to guide further research and thus promote transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment method for cognitive impairment.

Near-infrared spectroscopy in schizophrenia:A bibliometric perspective

BACKGROUND Compared with current methods used to assess schizophrenia,near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)has the advantages of providing noninvasive and real-time monitoring of functional activities of the brain and providing direct and objective assessment information.AIM To explore the research field of NIRS in schizophrenia from the perspective of bibliometrics.METHODS The Web of Science Core Collection was used as the search tool,and the last search date was April 21,2024.Bibliometric indicators,such as the numbers of publications and citations,were recorded.Bibliometrix and VOS viewer were used for visualization analysis.RESULTS A total of 355 articles from 105 journals were included in the analysis.The overall trend of the number of research publications increased.Schizophrenia Research was identified as an influential journal in the field.Kasai K was one of the most influential and productive authors in this area of research.The University of Tokyo and Japan had the highest scientific output for an institution and a country,respectively.The top ten keywords were“schizophrenia”,“activation”,“near-infrared spectroscopy”,“verbal fluency task”,“cortex”,“brain,performance”,“workingmemory”,“brain activation”,and“prefrontal cortex”.CONCLUSION Our study reveals the evolution of knowledge and emerging trends in the field of NIRS in schizophrenia.the research focus is shifting from underlying disease characteristics to more in-depth studies of brain function and physiological mechanisms.

Effects of ephedrine on expression of Nogo-A and synaptophysin in neonatal rats following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

BACKGROUND： Central nervous system axons regenerate poorly following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage （HIBD）, partly due to inhibitors, such as Nogo-A. Very few studies have addressed the regulation of Nogo-A in neonatal rats following HIBD. However, numerous studies have shown that ephedrine accelerates neuronal remodeling and promotes recovery of neural function in neonatal rats following HIBD. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of ephedrine on expression of Nogo-A and synaptophysin in brain tissues of neonatal rats following HIBD. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A completely randomized, controlled study was performed at the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of the Research Institute of Pediatrics, Children＇s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from August 2008 to March 2009. MATERIALS： Ephedrine hydrochloride （Chifeng Pharmaceutical Group, China）, rabbit anti-Nogo-A polyclonal antibody （Abcam, UK）, and rabbit anti-synaptophysin polyclonal antibody （Lab Vision, USA） were used in this study. METHODS： A total of 96 healthy, neonatal, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups （n = 32）： sham operation, HIBD, and ephedrine. The HIBD model was established by permanent occlusion of the left common carotid artery, followed by 2 hours of hypoxia （8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen）. In the sham operation group, the left common carotid artery was exposed, but was not ligated or subjected to hypoxia. Rats in the ephedrine group were intraperitoneally injected with ephedrine immediately following HIBD, with 1.5 mg/kg each time. Rats in the sham operation and HIBD groups were injected with an equal volume of saline. All neonatal rats were treated once daily for 7 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Histopathological damage to the cortex and hippocampus was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Expression of Nogo-A and synaptophysin was detected using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS： Neuronal degeneration and edema were observed in the hypoxJc-Jschemic cortex and hippocampus by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of Nogo-A significantly increased in the HIBD group at various time points （P 〈 0.01）. Nogo-A expression was significantly reduced in the ephedrine group compared with the HIBD group （P 〈 0.01）. Synaptophysin expression was significantly decreased in the hypoxic-ischemJc cortex, compared with the sham operation group （P 〈 0.01）. Synaptophysin levels were significantly increased in the ephedrine group, compared with the HIBD group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Altered Nogo-A expression was associated with inversely altered synaptophysin expression. The use of ephedrine normalized expression levels of Nogo-A and synaptophysin following HIBD.

Effect of celecoxib on improving depression:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Anti-inflammation drugs were uncovered to be a potential therapy for depression.Celecoxib as a selective COX2 inhibitor is also one anti-inflammation drugs.Celecoxib is widely used in the clinic,which is well known by medical workers.It is uncertain whether celecoxib has efficacy in improving depression.AIM To estimate the effect of celecoxib on improving depression.METHODS All literature was searched until 2022.The databases included PubMed,OVID database,Cochrane library,Web of Science,CNKI,Clinicaltrials.gov database and Wanfang database.The random effects model was used to estimate the standardized mean differences with 95%CIs.With determined diagnostic criteria,studies containing patients with depression in the celecoxib group and the control group were included in the meta-analysis.The primary outcome measures were set for depression scale scores.RESULTS Twenty-nine randomized controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis(including 847 subjects with depression and 810 control subjects).The metaanalysis showed that celecoxib had an effect of anti-depression.At the same time,heterogeneity was observed(I2=82.1%,P=0.00),and meta-regression was implemented to estimate the source of heterogeneity,which showed that the type of depression scale and depression type may lead to the heterogeneity.Subgroup analysis with respect to depression scale and depression type suggested that depression type was the possible main source of heterogeneity.Moreover,Egger’s test,Begg’s test,funnel plot and Doi plot was implemented,and publication bias was found to be significant.Next,the trim and fill method was used to estimate the influence of publication bias on the outcome of the meta-analysis,which showed that the outcome of the meta-analysis was reliable.Sensitivity analysis was estimated by deleting a study one by one,and the outcome of the meta-analysis was significantly stable.The quality of all randomized controlled trial studies was assessed by risk of bias,which indicated the rank of evidence in the meta-analysis was high.CONCLUSION Celecoxib could be effective for improving depression.

Effectiveness of Hand Care Therapy and Garden Walks That Are Conscious of the Stimulation of the Five Senses for Recovery of Cognitive and Mental and Physical Dysfunction Caused by COVID-19

The Japan Dementia Prevention Society conducted a questionnaire survey of dementia specialists conducted in August 2020. Regarding the worsening of symptoms in people with dementia, 8% answered that they “accept more” and 32% answered that they “recognize a minority”. In the previous research report (Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation Vol.8 No.3), we examined whether hand care therapy (HCT) as one of the passive horticultural therapy was effective in preventing dementia/MCI. Start of the test in August 2018 (I: BL) to February 2020 (VII: 18M) was, the use of HCT was to be effective in preventing dementia and MCI illness and slowing progression. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, VIII (24M) was evaluated in August 2020, and IX (27M) also measured ANS during activity. At that time, they divided into the Group E who had refrained from welfare facilities for the elderly due to the influence of COVID19 and the Group F who HCT continued. In the evaluation of VIII (24M), it was found that the cognitive function of the Group E was significantly reduced compared to VII, and Group F did not show a significant decrease. ADL decreased and depressive symptoms increase by continuing a life with less going out due to the influence of COVID 19 regardless of the use of the facility. It became clear that both Group E and Group F show good changes in ANS balance in the IX. Therefore, by utilizing horticultural therapy that the power of nature and plants in addition to utilizing welfare facilities for the elderly, cognitive impairment in COVID 19. It was expected to lead to prevention and prevention of negative psychology and behavior such as depressive views and depressive tendencies. In the previous research report (Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation Vol.8 No.3), we examined whether hand care therapy (HCT) as one of passive horticultural therapy was effective in preventing dementia/MCI. In the trend from the start of the test in August 2018 (I: BL) to February 2020 (VII: 18M) was, the use of HCT was shown to be effective in preventing dementia and MCI illness and slowing progression. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, various activity restrictions have been implemented in Japan since March 2020, and the number of elderly people who do not receive long-term care or rehabilitation has increased. Therefore, in August and November 2020, when the spread of COVID19 was reduced, cognitive function evaluation was carried out. At that time, they divided into the elderly group (Group E) who had refrained from welfare facilities for the elderly due to the influence of COVID19 and the elderly group (Group F) who HCT continued.

Effects of exogenous ganglioside-1 on learning and memory in a neonatal rat model of hypoxia-ischemia brain injury

BACKGROUND： Exogenous ganglioside-1 （GM1） can cross the blood-brain barrier and play a protective role against hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage. OBJECTIVE： To examine the possible mechanisms of exogenous GM1 protection in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage in a neonatal rat model by measuring changes in brain mass, pathological morphology, growth-associated protein-43 expression, and neurobehavioral manifestations. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized block-design study was performed at the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of the Pediatric Research Institute, Children＇s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from August 2005 to August 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 36 neonatal, 7-day-old, Sprague Dawley rats were used in this experiment. The hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage model was established by permanently occluding the right carotid artery, followed by oxygen inhalation at a low concentration （8% O2, 92% N2） for 2 hours, METHODS： All rats were randomly divided into the following groups： GMI, model, and sham operation, with 12 rats each group. Rats in the GM 1 and model groups received hypoxic/ischemic-induced brain damage. Rats in the GM1 group received injections of GM1 （i.p., 20 mg/kg） at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours following models established, and rats in the model group were administered （i.p.） the same amount of saline. The right carotid artery was separated, but not ligated, in the sham operation group rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 1 week after surgery, expression of growth-associated protein-43, a marker of neural development and plasticity, was detected in the hippocampal CA3 region by immunohistochemistry. Brain mass was measured, and the pathological morphology was observed. At 4 weeks after surgery, behavioral changes in the remaining rats were tested by Morris water maze, and growth-associated protein-43 expression was measured. RESULTS： （1） In the GMI and sham operation groups, growth-associated protein-43 expression was greater in the hippocampal CA3 region compared to the model group 1 week after surgery （P 〈 0.05）. In all three groups, brain weight of the right hemisphere was significantly less than the left hemisphere, in particular in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. In the GMI group, the weight difference between two hemispheres, as well as the extent of damage in the right hemisphere, was less than the model group （P 〈 0.01 ）. In the sham operation Uoup, brain tissue consisted of integrated structures and ordered cells. In the model group, the cerebral cortex layers of the right hemisphere were not defined, neurons were damaged, and neurons were disarranged in the hippocampal area. In the GM1 group, neurons were dense in the right cerebral cortex and hippocampal area, with no significant change in glial proliferation. （2） The average time of escape latency in the GM1 group was shortened 4 weeks alter surgery, and significantly less than the model group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, the frequency platform passing in the GMI group was significantly greater than the model group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Exogenous GM1 may reduce brain injury and improve learning and memory in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage rats. This protection may be associated with increased growth-associated protein-43 expression, which is involved in neuronal remodeling processes.

Imaging characteristics of orbital peripheral nerve sheath tumors:Analysis of 34 cases

BACKGROUND Peripheral nerve sheath tumors(PNSTs),a rare group of neoplasms in the orbit,comprise only 4%of all orbital tumors.At present,there are very few studies detailing the features of these tumors identified using imaging technology.AIM To compare the differences in location,morphology,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)signal intensity/computed tomography(CT)value,and enhancement degree of tumors of different pathological PNSTs types.METHODS Clinical,pathological,CT,and MRI data were analyzed retrospectively in 34 patients with periorbital sheath tumors diagnosed using histopathology from January 2013 to August 2021.RESULTS Among 34 cases of orbital peripheral nerve sheath tumors,21 were schwannomas,12 were neurofibromas,and 1 was a plexiform neurofibroma.Common clinical symptoms presented by patients with these types of tumors include eyelid swelling,exophthalmos,and limited eye movement.Schwannomas mostly occur in the intramuscular space with small tumor volume and rare bone involvement.Neurofibromas develop in the extrapyramidal space with larger tumor volume and more bone involvement.Radiologically,schwannomas and neurofibromas are characterized by regular morphology and uneven density and signal.One case of plexiform neurofibroma showed tortuous and diffuse growth along the nerve,with a worm-like appearance on imaging.CONCLUSION Different pathological types of orbital peripheral nerve sheath tumors have unique imaging characteristics.Comprehensive consideration of the patient's clinical and imaging manifestations is of great value in the diagnosis of orbital peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Impact of Low Frequency Electro-acupuncture on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Unmarried PCOS Women:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:To explore the effect of electro-acupuncture(EA)on glucose and lipid metabolism in unmarried patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:Fifty-four PCOS patients were equally randomized into true acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group(control)for totally 16 weeks of treatment by random method with a computerized randomization program.Patients in true acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with EA and two sets of acupoint groups were used alternatively.The first set consisted of Zhongji(CV 3),Qihai(CV 6),Guilai(ST 29),Sanyinjiao(SP 6),Yinlingquan(SP 9),Hegu(LI4)and Baihui(GV 20),and the second set consisted of Tianshu(ST 25),ST 29,CV 3,CV 6,SP 6,Taichong(LR 3),Neiguan(PC)6 and GV 20.Patients in the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods through EA without electricity at 4 non-meridian points in each shoulder and upper arm.Outcome measures included body mass index(BMI),waist-hip-ratio(WHR),oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT),insulin release test,glucose and lipid metabolism indicators such as total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,adiponectin,leptin,visfatin,resistin,and interleukin(IL-6).Results:Twenty-six subjects in the true acupuncture group and 20 subjects in the sham group completed the clinical trial.After 16 weeks of treatment,no significant difference in the outcome measures were observed between the two groups(P>0.05).However,as compared with baseline data,a reduction in weight,BMI,hipline,WHR,fasting glucose,homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity,visfatin and HDL-C,and an increase in resistin and IL-6 were observed in the true acupuncture group(P<0.05).In addition,a reduction in visfatin and an increase in TC were also observed in the sham group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Acupuncture may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of PCOS by improving glucose and lipid metabolism.Moreover,the sham acupuncture may be not completely ineffective.Sham acupuncture may improve some of the aspects of the glucose and lipid metabolism of PCOS patients through a placebo effect.(Registration Nos.ChiCTR-TRC-12002529 and NCT01812161)

Comparative research between acupuncture and Climen in treatment of menopausal hot flashes:A randomized controlled trial

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effect on menopausal hot flashes between acupuncture and Climen so as to provide a new approach to the treatment of this disease.Methods:A total of 80 cases in line with inclusion criteria were randomized into a treatment group(treated with acupuncture) and a control group(oral administration with climen),40 cases in each one.The treatment for 1 month was as 1 course and lasted consecutively for 2 courses.Before and after treatment,the contents of serum estrogen(estradiol,E_(2)) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(HT) and the scores of the attack frequency and severity scale of hot flashes and sweating,domestic modified Kupperman scale and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) symptom scale were observed,and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups separately.Results:Before treatment,there was no difference in the content of E_(2) and 5-HT,the score of hot flashes and sweating,Kupperman score and TCM symptom score in the patients between two groups,indicating the comparability(all P>0.05).Compared with the data before treatment,the contents of serum E_(2)(treatment group vs control group:22.24±11.02 vs 33.12±1.01;22.11±10.19 vs 25.29±2.23) and5-HT(treatment group vs control group:96.12±8.21 vs 131.21±30.21;96.98±7.99 vs 108.29±22.08),the score of hot flashes and sweating(treatment group vs control group:8.24±1.02 vs 3.12±1.01;8.11±1.19 vs 5.29±2.23),Kupperman score(treatment group vs control group:26.12±2.21 vs11.21±0.21;26.98±1.99 vs 18.29±2.08) and TCM symptom score(treatment group vs control group:18.97±3.87 vs 10.12±0.16;19.01±2.29 vs 15.61±2.89) were statistically different after treatment in the two groups(all P<0.05).After treatment,the contents of serum E_(2) and 5-HT,the score of hot flashes and sweating,Kupperman score and TCM symptom score in the treatment group were all different statistically compared with the control group(all P<0.05).There was statistical difference in clinical therapeutic effect in the patients between two group,in which,the therapeutic effect in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(90% vs 77.5%,P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture effectively reduces Kupperman score and TCM symptom score in the patients and its therapeutic effect is better than climen.Regarding relieving hot flashes symptoms in menopausal patients of kidney yin deficiency and improving in attack frequency and severity of hot flashes and sweating,the effects of acupuncture are superior to Climen.Acupuncture obviously increases the contents of serum E_(2) and 5-HT.

Modulating arousal to overcome gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease:how the noradrenergic system may act as a double-edged sword

In stressful or anxiety-provoking situations,most people with Parkinson’s disease(PD)experience a general worsening of motor symptoms,including their gait impairments.However,a proportion of patients actually report benefits from experiencing-or even purposely inducing-stressful or high-arousal situations.Using data from a large-scale international survey study among 4324 people with PD and gait impairments within the online Fox Insight(USA)and ParkinsonNEXT(NL)cohorts,we demonstrate that individuals with PD deploy an array of mental state alteration strategies to cope with their gait impairment.Crucially,these strategies differ along an axis of arousal-some act to heighten,whereas others diminish,overall sympathetic tone.Together,our observations suggest that arousal may act as a double-edged sword for gait control in PD.We propose a theoretical,neurobiological framework to explain why heightened arousal can have detrimental effects on the occurrence and severity of gait impairments in some individuals,while alleviating them in others.Specifically,we postulate that this seemingly contradictory phenomenon is explained by the inherent features of the ascending arousal system:namely,that arousal is related to task performance by an inverted u-shaped curve(the so-called Yerkes and Dodson relationship).We propose that the noradrenergic locus coeruleus plays an important role in modulating PD symptom severity and expression,by regulating arousal and by mediating network-level functional integration across the brain.The ability of the locus coeruleus to facilitate dynamic‘cross-talk’between distinct,otherwise largely segregated brain regions may facilitate the necessary cerebral compensation for gait impairments in PD.In the presence of suboptimal arousal,compensatory networks may be too segregated to allow for adequate compensation.Conversely,with supraoptimal arousal,increased cross-talk between competing inputs of these complementary networks may emerge and become dysfunctional.Because the locus coeruleus degenerates with disease progression,finetuning of this delicate balance becomes increasingly difficult,heightening the need for mental strategies to self-modulate arousal and facilitate shifting from a sub-or supraoptimal state of arousal to improve gait performance.Recognition of this underlying mechanism emphasises the importance of PD-specific rehabilitation strategies to alleviate gait disability.

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture plus hydro-acupuncture for low back pain caused by compression fractures

Objective： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride for low back pain caused by compression fractures in the elderly. Methods： Ninety-five elderly in-patients with low back pain caused by compression fractures were randomly divided into an observation group and an EA group according to the visit sequence. Both groups received the same basic treatment. In the EA group, 48 cases were treated with EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus the basic therapy; 47 cases in the observation group received the basic treatment plus EA and hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points. The levels of osteoprotegerin （OPG） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） in peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） before and at the 21st day of treatment in both groups. Oswestry disability index （ODI） and visual analog scale （VAS） scores were used to analyze the clinical efficacy. Results： After treatment, the OPG content in the observation group was higher with statistical significance compared with that before treatment in the observation group and after the treatment in the EA group, respectively （both P〈0.05）; the content of IL-1β, ODI and VAS scores were lower than those before treatment in the observation group and after treatment in the EA group with statistical significances （all P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The combination of EA and hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points is effective for low back pain caused by compression fractures in the elderly, and is superior to EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points alone.