Dynamic electromyographic response following acupuncture: possible influence on synergistic coordination.
Thirty healthy subject's left and right lumber paraspinal (LP) EMG activity was recorded during a trunk flexion-return movement and the maximum integrated EMG amplitude (absolute EMG) during this movement in each side was compared. Twenty subjects showed less than 20% difference between the left and right side (symmetrical subjects-SS) and 10 subjects showed more than a 20% difference (asymmetrical subjects AS). As were administered acupuncture stimulation on LP muscles. Significant reduction in lumbar EMG asymmetry was observed after acupuncture stimulation (exact p=.049). No specific pattern of response in absolute EMG values was observed in the stimulate side. On the nonstimulated side, there was a significant reduction in absolute EMG values when the baseline value for that side was high (p=.037) and a significant increase when it was low (p=.0185). The results suggest that acupuncture may be beneficial for decreasing functional muscular distortion and improving synergistic coordination.
Tanaka
T H
TH
The Pacific Wellness Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Leisman
G
G
Nishijo
K
K
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*