A CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY OF NERVE ROOT TYPE TREATED BY COMBINED CERVICAL TRACTION AND ELECTROACUPUNCTURE

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of combined cervical traction and electroacupuncture (EA) on Cervical Spondylopathy of Nerve Root Type (CSNRT). Methods: 145 patients diagnosed as CSNRT were randomized into 3 groups: combined treatment group, EA group, and cervical traction (CT) group. The combined group was treated with traction followed by EA of Dazhui (大椎 GV 14), Fengchi (风池 GB 20), cervical Jiaji (夹脊 EX-B 2), etc.. Patients of two control groups were only treated by either CT or EA. Results: The markedly-effective rate and total effective rate were 76.0% and 94.0% respectively in the combined treatment group, 62.5% and 81.25% respectively in CT group, and 63.82% and 82.97% respectively in EA group. The therapeutic effect of the combined treatment group was significantly superior to that of two control groups (P<0.05). At 6-month follow-up, the above two markedly-effective and total effective rates in the combined treatment group remained 74.0% and 92.0%, still significantly higher than that in two control groups. Conclusion: Combining cervicle traction with EA treatment can effectively eliminate or relieve the symptoms and signs in patients with nerve root type cervical spondylopathy.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF NERVE-ROOT TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS WITH ACUPUNCTURE, TRACTION PLUS SELF-EXERCISE OF QIGONG

Purpose: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with traction and Qigong exercise for treatment of nerve root type cervical spondylosis. Methods: A total of 130 nerve root type cervical spondylosis patients were randomly divided into acupuncture + traction + Qigong exercise (ATQE) group (n=59), acupuncture + Qigong exercise (AQE) group (n=40) and traction + Qigong exercise (TQE) group (n=31). Main acupoints used were Fengchi (GB 20) and cervical Jiaji (EX B 2) on the affected side. Results: After one month’s treatment, in ATQE, AQE and TQE groups, 43 (72.88%), 18 (45.00%) and 12 (45.16%) had remarkable amelioration, 14 (23.72%), 14 (35.00%) and 10 (32.26%) were effective, and 2 (3.39%), 8 (20.00%) and 7 (22.58%) had no apparent changes with the total effective rates being 96.61%, 80.00% and 77.41% respectively. The therapeutic effect of ATQE group was significantly superior to that of AQE and TQE groups (P<0.01).

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF NERVE ROOT STIMULATION METHOD IN CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

By means of cervical nerve root stimulation(CRS) method, the amplitudes and latencies of compound motor action potential(CMAP) of brachial biceps and brachial triceps muscles in 41 patients with clinical symptoms and signs of cervical radiculopathy were observed. The amplitudes of CMAPs on the affected side in the patients were obviously lower than on the healthy side and control group, latencies of CMAPs on the affected side were also significantly prolonged. The results showed that CRS was a sensitive method for making a direct determination of proximal nerve roit cinductiin function, and a good aid for diagnosing cervical radiculopathy.

Efficacy observation on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type treated by the warm needling at Jiájǐ(夹脊EX-B 2) and tapping with plum-blossom needle

Objective To observe the clinical effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type treated by warm needling therapy at Jiáj （夹脊 EX-B 2） and plum-blossom needle therapy. Methods According to the random number table, 150 cases of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group （75 cases） and a control group （75 cases）. In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the warm needling at EX-B 2 and tapping with plum-blossom needle were applied. EX-B 2 on the affected segments were selected and stimulated with warm needling technique for 20– 30 min. Afterward, the plum-blossom needle was used to tap the skin around the acupoints, for 3 min on each site. The treatment was given once every day. Seven treatments made one session. The interval between two sessions was 1 day. In the control group, the medication was used in combination with traction therapy. The intravenous drip with 5% glucose 250 mL and compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection 40 mL was used, once a day. In traction treatment, the patient was in a sitting position, neck anteflexion at 15°–30°, traction force at 10%–20% of the body mass, for 20–30 min in each time. The treatment was given once every day. The appointed person evaluated therapeutic effects after the three sessions of treatment in the two groups. Results The clinical curative rate was 49.3% （37/75） and the total effective rate was 94.7% （71/75） in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and those were 24.0% （18/75） and 81.3% （61/75） respectively in the control group. The total effective rate and clinical curative rate in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were superior to the control group （both P0.05）. In the comparison of the duration of treatment and effect in the cured patients between the two groups, the curative rate in the 1st session of treatment in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was higher than that in the control group （P0.05）. In the comparison of the 6-month follow-up visit in the cured patients between the two groups, the effect in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was much more stable （P0.05）. Conclusion The warm needling therapy at EX-B 2 and tapping therapy with plum-blossom needle achieve the significant effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.