Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with suprascapular nerve block in the treatment of patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis

Abstract

Objective To observe the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with suprascapular nerve block in the treatment of patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis. Methods Ninety patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis, age 18-65 years old, both sexes, admitted in department of Pain Medicine, Shanxi Dayi Hospital from April 2017 to June 2018 and were divided into 3 groups (n=30) by a random number table as transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation group (group TEAS), suprascapular nerve block plus sham TEAS group (group SJT) and suprascapular nerve block plus TEAS group (group SZT). The patients were treated with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (group TEAS, current intensity 15-25 mA), sham suprascapular nerve block as placebo plus TEAS (group SJT, current intensity 5 mA) and suprascapular nerve block plus TEAS (group SZT, current intensity 15-25 mA) respectively. Treatment was once every 2 days, 6 times for a course, and a total of two courses for all patients. Pain score and the shoulder joint function were observed and recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS) and American shoulder and elbow surgeons form (ASES) respectively before the treatment, and at 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 9 days, 11 days after the treatment, and at the end of the second course. The patients' satisfaction was observed at the end of treatment courses. Results VAS was decreased and ASES was increased in all three groups after the treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with group TEAS, VAS was decreased and ASES was increased in group SZT after the treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with group SJT, VAS was decreased and ASES was increased in group SZT after the treatment (all P<0.05). At the end of two courses treatment, patients' satisfaction was higher in group SZT than that in group TEAS and group SJT (all P<0.05). Conclusion Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with suprascapular nerve block has better effects in the treatment of patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis and high compliance for the patients. Key words: Acupuncture points; Nerve block; Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation; Suprascapular nerve; Shoulder joint; Periarthritis