Influence of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography of patients with cervical spondylosis

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ObjectiveTo observe the influence of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography of patients with cervical spondylosis, and to explore the interactions and laws among different acupoint combinations. MethodsAcupuncture in three kinds of different acupoint combinations was conducted on 90 patients with cervical spondylosis (three groups): group A [distal point selection group: Kūnlún (▪ BL 60) and Hòuxī (▪ SI 3)]; group B [local point selection group: Fēngchí (▪ GB 20) and Tiānzhù ▪ BL 10)]; group C (distal and local point selection group: BL 60, SI 3, GB 20 and BL 10). Self control before and after treatment was adopted to observe the mean value of surface electromyography (SEMG) amplitude, to measure the mean values of integrated electromyography (IEMG) and electromyography root mean square (RMS), and to calculate the variation rate of electromyography amplitude of trapezius on the affected side of patients before and after acupuncture. The differences of influences of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography were compared intra-group, and the differences among the three groups after acupuncture were also compared. ResultsAccording to the intra-group comparison before and after acupuncture, the differences of mean value of electromyography amplitude, variation rate of electromyography amplitude, IEMG and RMS were both statistically significant (all P<0.05). According to the Inter-group comparison after acupuncture, the mean value of electromyography amplitude, variation rate of electromyography amplitude, IEMG and RMS varied in different degrees, however, the differences were not significant (all P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the total effective rate among the three groups (P>0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture treatment in different acupoint combinations can increase IEMG and RMS and reduce mean value of electromyography amplitude and variation rate of electromyography amplitude, enhance cervical vertebral stability and active contractility of muscle fiber, and improve the fatigue resistance of neck flexion; while, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylosis has nothing to do with the distance or the number of selected acupoint.