Electroacupuncture at jiājĭ (夹脊 EX-B2) for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the effect differences of electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiājĭ (夹脊 EX-B2) and conventional acupoints for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) and the factors influenced the effect during the way of data mining. MethodsA total of 160 patients of LIDH were randomly assigned into the EX-B2 group and the conventional acupoints group, 80 cases in each one. The patients in the EX-B2 group received EA at the symmetrical 2 acupoints of the bilateral EX-B2 on the lesion part. The patients in the conventional acupoints group received EA at the tender point of the lesion part, Zhìbiān( 秩边BL54), Huántiào(环跳 GB30), Weǐzhōng(委中BL40), Chéngshān(承山BL57) and Fúyáng (跗阳BL59) on the affected side. The retain time of the needles is both 45 min. The treatment of the two groups is 3 times a week and for a connective 20 times. The modified Assessment Criteria for Low Lumbar Pain of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were evaluated before and after the treatment and at the 6-month follow up. Results(1) Effective outcomes. JOA score: The JOA score of the patients in the EX-B2 group after treatment was (20.89 ± 3.43), and was (19.35 ± 4.02) on the follow-up. Compared with the JOA score (12.35 ± 4.42) in the same group before the treatment, there were statistical significant higher (both P<0.05). The JOA score in the EX-B2 group after treatment and on the follow-up were both higher than that of the conventional acupoints group at the same time point (both P<0.05). VAS score: The VAS score of the patients in the EX-B2 group on the 24 h after the first treatment was (4.09 ± 1.81), and was (2.11 ± 1.30) after the treatment. Compared with the VAS score (4.09 ± 1.81) in the same group before the treatment, there were statistical significant lower (both P<0.05). The VAS score in the EX-B2 group on the 24 h after the first treatment and after treatment showed no statistical differences than that of the conventional acupoints group at the same time point (both P>0.05). (2)Related results from data mining: The middle-aged people and disease duration less than six months, their effect of the immediate treatment was the best. According to JOA score, EA at EX-B2 was better than EA conventional acupoints, either in the process of treatment effect, or in pertinence of the treatment, which were superior to EA conventional acupoints therapy; The best curative effect time of EA at EX-B2 was the first treatment after 24 h, and the best curative effect of the conventional acupoints was after the first treatment. The age and disease duration also affected curative effect. ConclusionThe effect of EA at EX-B2 was superior to the conventional acupoints in treating LIDH.