Effect of electroacupuncture combined with osteoporosis treatment apparatus on bone metabolism in patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field on bone metabolism in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsThe 60 SCI patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 2 groups by means of a random number table. In the control group, 30 patients were treated with osteoporosis treatment apparatus. In the observation group, 30 patients were treated with osteoporosis treatment apparatus and electroacupuncture at the foot-shaoyangacupoints [Yánglíngquán (阳陵泉GB 34) and Xuánzhōng (悬钟GB 39) of both sides].The treatment was applied once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks.Before and after treatment, the changes of indexes in the two groups, including the bone mineral density (BMD), bone gla-containing protein (BGP), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), procollagen type I C-peptide (PICP), and 25‑hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D], were observed for comparison. ResultsAfter treatment, in the two groups, the BMD and 25(OH)D indexes of the femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Ward's triangle region were not significantly changed in comparing with those before treatment (P>0.05), while the BGP, ALP, and PICP indexes were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, in the observation group, the BGP and ALP indexes were significantly increased in comparing with those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), whilst the BMD, PICP, and 25(OH)D indexes of the femoral neck, greater trochanter, and wards triangle region, were not significantly different in comparing with the control group (P>0.05). ConclusionThe osteoporosis treatment apparatus can improve bone metabolism in SCI patients, and the curative effect can be enhanced when combined with electroacupuncture at foot-shaoyangacupoints.