Effect of electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques on shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff injuries

BACKGROUND The rotator cuff is located below the acromion and deltoid muscles and comprises multiple tendons that wrap around the humeral head,maintaining shoulder joint stability.AIM To explore the effect of electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques on shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff injuries.METHODS We selected 97 patients with rotator cuff injuries treated in the People's Hospital of Yuhuan from February 2020 to May 2023.Patients were grouped using the envelope method.RESULTS After treatment,the study group’s treatment effective rate was 94.90%(46/49 patients),significantly higher than that in the control group(79.17%,38/48 cases;P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no difference in Constant Murley Score(CMS)scores,shoulder mobility,or 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)scale scores(P>0.05).Compared with those before treatment,the CMS scores(including pain,daily living ability,shoulder mobility,and muscle strength),all aspects of shoulder mobility(forward flexion,posterior extension,external rotation,internal rotation),and SF-36 scale scores(including physiological,psychological,emotional,physical,vitality,and health status)were higher in both groups after treatment and significantly higher in the study group(P<0.05).There was no difference in the occurrence of complications between the two treatment groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques has a good treatment effect on patients with rotator cuff injuries,helps accelerate the recovery of shoulder function,improves the quality of life,and is highly safe.

Electroacupuncture in the repair of spinal cord injury:inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and promoting neural stem cell proliferation

Electroacupuncture for the treatment of spinal cord iniury has a good dinical curative effect, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In our experiments, the spinal cord of adult Sprague-Daw- ley rats was clamped for 60 seconds. Dazhui （GV14） and Mingmen （GV4） acupoints of rats were subjected to electroacupuncture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the expres- sion of serum inflammatory factors was apparently downregulated in rat models of spinal cord injury after electroacupuncture. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that electroacupuncture contributed to the proliferation of neural stem cells in rat injured spinal cord, and suppressed their differentiation into astrocytes. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot assays showed that electroacupuncture inhibited activation of the Notch signaling pathway induced by spinal cord injury. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture repaired the injured spinal cord by suppressing the Notch signaling pathway and promoting the proliferation of endogenous neural stem ceils.

ELECTROACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF MENIERE'S DISEASE

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Meniere's disease. Methods: A total of 114 cases (38 males and 76 females) of Meniere's disease were treated with EA of Ermen(耳门 TE 21), Tinggong (听宫 SI 19), Tinghui (听会 GB 2), Yifeng (医风 TE 17), Fengchi (风池 GB 20) and Baihui (百会 GV 20). The treatment was given 3 times a week,9 times altogether. Follow-up was made at the end of the 3rd, 6th and 12th months after treatment. Results; Follow-up in 114 patients showed that after EA treatment, 63 cases (55.26%) were cured, 30 (26.31%) had remarkable improvement in their symptoms, 10 (8. 77%) responded with improvement and 11 (9.65%) failed in the treatment, with a total effective rate of 90.35%. Conclusion: EA treatment was effective in controlling Meniere's disease patients' symptoms and reducing attack.

58 CASES OF PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY TREATED BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE

In the present paper, 58 prostatic hypertrophy patients were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) therapy. Their ages ranged from 50 to above 70 years in 38 cases and above 80 years in 20 cases. Main acupoints were Qugu (CV 2), Henggu (KI 11), Shuidao (ST 28) and Guanyuan (CV 4) in combination with auxiliary acupoints Zhonglushu (BL 29), Huiyang (BL 35) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) which were stimulated with EA Therapeutic Apparatus for 30min. After treatment, of the 58 cases, 36 were cured, accounting for 62%, 20 had marked effect, accounting for 34%, and 2 had no any effectiveness, accounting for 3%. The total effective rate was 96%.

ELECTROACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF 176 CASES OF LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROTRUSION

In the present paper, 176 cases of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion are treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and topical heat irradiation. Local tender-point is used as the main acupoint, combined with Tunzhong, Tiaoyue, Weizhong (BL 40) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). The treatment is conducted once daily, with 15 sessions being a therapeutic course. Following treatment, of 176 cases, 46 (26. 1%) are cured, 90 (51. 1%) have prominent improvement, 35 (19.8%) have amelioration and 5 (2.8%) have no apparent changes, with a total effective rate of 97.0%.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE PLUS POINT-PENETRATION FOR CHRONIC ANKLE JOINT SPRAIN

Objective: To observe clinical therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture plus point-penetration for chronic ankle joint sprain. Methods: 76 patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=43) and control group (n=33).In teatment group, penetration needling from Qiuxu (丘墟 GB 40) to Zhaohai (照海 KI 6) was performed, combined with electrical stimulation for 30 min. Patients of control group were ordered to take Antinfan (50 mg,b.i.d.),supplemented with local external application of Votalin cream (b.i.d.).After 14 treatments (two courses), the therapeutic effect was assessed. Results: Following two courses of treatment, of the 43 cases and 33 cases in treatment and control groups,33 (76.7%) and 15 (45.5%) were cured, 4 (9.3%) and 7 (21.2%) had marked improvement in their symptoms, 3 (7.0%) and 2 (6.1%) had improvement, and 3 (7.0%) and 9(27.3%) failed, with the effective rates being 93.0% and 72.7% respectively. The therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Penetrative needling plus EA is significantly superior to medication in relieving chronic ankle spain patient’s clinical symptoms and signs.

Clinical Study on Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy plus Electroacupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of extracorporeal shock wave plus electroacupuncture(EA) on myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) and to investigate its treatment mechanism. Methods: Ninety cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into an EA group, an extracorporeal shock wave therapy(ESWT) group and a combined therapy group, 30 in each group. EA was employed in the EA group, extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the ESWT group and EA plus extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the combined therapy group. The VAS, tenderness threshold and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated after three months of treatment. Results: After 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 3 months of treatment, the VAS scores in all three groups were significantly reduced and the tenderness threshold significantly elevated. The recovery rate and total effective rate were 23.3% and 83.3% respectively in the EA group, versus 40.0% and 90.0% in the ESWT group and 63.3% and 96.7% in the combined therapy group, showing statistical differences(P<0.05). Conclusion: EA combined with EWST works remarkably well for MPS.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF COMBINED TREATMENT OF NONINSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of combined treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Methods: 30 cases of noninsulin dependent diabetes were treated by electroacupuncture (EA)of Tianzhu (天柱 BL 10), Dashu (大杼 BL 11), Fengmen (风门 BL 12), Jueyinshu (厥阴俞 BL 14), etc, massage at the acupoints along the Bladder Meridian, point injection of Vitamin B1, B6, B 12plus lidocaine at Neiguan (内关 PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (三阴交 SP 6, once every 3 days), cupping and physiotherapy comprehensively. The therapeutic effect was analyzed after 40 treatments. Results: After treatment, of the 30 cases, 23 (76.7%) experienced remarkable improvement in their symptoms and the rest 7 (23.3%) had improvement, with the total effective rate being 100%. Conclusion: The abovementioned combined treatment method works well in improving clinical symptoms of type Ⅱ DM patients.

Therapeutic Observation of Point-towards-point Electroacupuncture for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy

Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacies of point-towards-point electroacupuncture(EA), EA with Jiaji points(EX-B 2), and Jing Fu Kang in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(CSR), and to explore the optimal treatment protocol. Methods: Totally 160 patients with CSR were randomized into three groups: a point-towards-point group(n=60) treated with EA with point-towards-point method; a Jiaji group(n=60) treated with EA at cervical Jiaji(EX-B 2) points; a medicine group(n=40) treated with oral administration of Jing Fu Kang alone. The clinical efficacies were compared afterwards. Results: After treatment, the recovery rate and total effective rate of the point-towards-point group were significantly better than that of the Jiaji group and medicine group(both P<0.01). After 1-week treatment, the symptom and function score of the point-towards-point group was significantly better than that of the Jiaji group and medicine group(both P<0.01); the point-towards-point group and Jiaji group both achieved significant improvements in the symptom and function score(P<0.01, P<0.05). After 2-week treatment, the three groups all achieved marked improvements in the symptom and function score(P<0.01). At the end of treatment, in comparing the symptom and function score, the point-towards-point group was significantly different from the medicine group(P<0.01) and Jiaji group(P<0.05); the difference between the Jiaji group and medicine group was also statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion: Point-towards-point EA can rapidly improve the symptoms and function of CSR patients, and it's superior to EA at Jiaji(EX-B 2) and oral administration of Jing Fu Kang in comparing the clinical efficacy.

Clinical Study on Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy by Electroacupuncture plus Tuina

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of electroacupuncture(EA) plus tuina for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods: One hundred and twenty cases with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were divided randomly by the digital table into the observation group and control group. The patients in an observation group were treated by EA plus tuina techniques. The patients in the control group were treated by simple tuina techniques. Results: The total effective rate was 91.7% in the observation group and 78.3% in the control group. The effective rates in the two groups were statistically different(P<0.05). Conclusion: EA plus tuina therapy is better than simple tuina therapy in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Effect of Electroacupuncture Combined with Tuina on Lumbar Muscle Tone in Patients with Acute Lumbar Sprain

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with tuina on acute lumbar sprain and lumbar muscle tone before and after treatment. Methods: A total of 130 acute lumbar sprain cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 65 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with EA combined with tuina, whereas cases in the control group were treated with Diclofenac Sodium Dual Release Enteric-coated capsules. The muscle tones in two groups were tested before and after treatment. Results: The recovery rate and overall response rate in the observation group were 66.2% and 93.8% respectively, versus 56.9% and 87.7% in the control group, showing no between-group statistical significances(P>0.05). After treatment, the force-displacement area under curve(AUC) in both groups showed a significance difference(P<0.05). Conclusion: Both EA combined with tuina and aforementioned oral medication have remarkable effects for acute lumbar sprain, and the former can better improve the lumbar muscle tone in patients with acute lumbar sprain.

Observation on Clinical Effects of Electroacupuncture for Migraine Without Aura

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of electroacupuncture(EA) for migraine without aura. Methods: The migraine patients in conformity with the conditions were randomly divided into two groups, 34 cases in each group. The treatment group was given EA and the control group was given the routine acupuncture treatment, to observe various pain indexes respectively before and one month after the treatment. Results: The general effect was remarkably better in the treatment group than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: EA is an effective therapy for migraine without aura.

Therapeutic Observation on Tuina plus Electroacupuncture for Lateral Humeral Epicondylitis

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina combined with electroacupuncture(EA) in treating lateral humeral epicondylitis. Methods: Totally 118 patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 59 cases in each. The patients in the treatment group were treated with tuina combined with EA treatment, while those in the control group were treated by EA alone. Clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared after the treatment. Results: The total effective rate was 93.2% in the treatment group, versus 84.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion: Tuina combined with EA treatment for lateral humeral epicondylitis has a significant effect.

Regulatory Effect of Electroacupuncture on Ceramide Galactosyltransferase Expression in Sciatic Nerve of Experimental Diabetic Rats

Objective: To observe the change of ceramide galactosyltransferase(CGT) expression in sciatic nerve of experimental diabetic rats after electroacupuncture(EA) treatment. Methods: The rat model of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) was established with Streptozotocin(STZ). Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA acupoint group, and an EA non-acupoint group, with 7 rats in each group. Acupuncture on points Shenshu(BL 23) and Zusanli(ST 36) was performed in the EA group using EA electronic device with continuous wave, 2 Hz, 20 min every time, once every other day for 12 times. Acupuncture(on the tip of rat tail) in EA non-acupoint group was performed with the same electronic parameters and time. The model group and the normal group were not given any treatment, except the same fixation as that in the EA acupoint group. After 12 treatments, the albumen and mRNA expressions of CGT of sciatic nerve in rats from each group were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), fluorescence quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR) and immunohistochemical methods. Results: After modeling, the CGT expression was significantly lower than that in the normal group(P<0.01); however, after 12 EA treatments, the CGT positive cells in the EA acupoint group were up-regulated and significantly higher than those in the EA non-acupoint group and the model group(P<0.01). The CGT mRNA expression of the rats after modeling was also higher than that of the normal rats(P<0.01), and the expression in the EA acupoint group was significantly lower than those in the model group and the EA non-acupoint group(P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: EA treatment with acupoints displays some therapeutic or preventive effect in the recovery of DPN via reversing the abnormal expression of CGT mRNA in sciatic nerves of experimental diabetic neuropathy rats, and it is worthy of further study.

Therapeutic Efficacy Observation on Mild Lifting and Superficial Pulling Point-towards-point Needling for Intractable Facial Palsy

Objective: To observe and compare the clinical effects of combining mild lifting and superficial pulling point-towards-point needling and point injection and integrated standard electroacupuncture(EA) with intramuscular injection of Mecobalamin for intractable facial palsy. Methods: Eighty cases with intractable facial palsy were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 in each group. Cases in the treatment group were treated with mild lifting and superficial pulling point-towards-point needling Xiaguan(ST 7) coupled with point injection of Mecobalamin. Cases in the control group were treated with standard EA coupled with intramuscular injection of Mecobalamin. After three courses of treatment, the between-group comparisons of Portmann scores and clinical effects were conducted. Results: After three courses of treatment, the Portmann scores in both groups were higher than the scores before treatment(P<0.01); the Portmann score in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05) and the total effective rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining mild lifting and superficial pulling point-towardspoint needling and point injection of Mecobalamin could obtain better effect for intractable facial palsy than standard EA coupled with intramuscular injection of Mecobalamin.