title: [Clinical research of electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-injection of botulinum toxin A in treating the muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore clinical safety and efficiency of electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-injection of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients with muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury were treated from December 2006 to December 2009 including 26 males and 12 females, with an average age of 45.4 years old ranging from 21 to 68 years. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups according to admission time, 13 patients in group A were treated with electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-injection of botulinum toxin A, and 13 patients in group B were treated with acupoint-injection botulinum toxin A and 12 patients in group C were treated with electroacupuncture. After 6 months these patients were evaluated by improved muscle Ashworth scoring (MAS) and clinical spasticity index (SCI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight patients were followed-up at 6 months after the treatment. The result showed that the MAS scores of group A, B, C before treatment were (3.10 +/- 0.14), (3.20 +/- 0.17), (3.10 +/- 0.16) respectively and the CSI scores were (14.10 +/- 0.14), (14.30 +/- 0.11), (14.20 +/- 0.12) respectively; there were no statistical different among the three groups (P > 0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the MAS scores were (1.10 +/- 0.16), (2.10 +/- 0.13), (2.00 +/- 0.14) respectively and the CSI scores were (9.10 +/- 0.11), (12.10 +/- 0.14), (13.10 +/- 0.12) respectively. The MAS scores and CSI scores of group A were better than the other two groups (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of Chinese hydropower needles and acupoints with BTX-A injection can achieve a comprehensive treatment and reduce pain and improve life quality quickly. The electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-inject botulinum toxin A is a noval safe and effective technique for the treatment of muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, the 1st People's Hospital of Huzhou,Huzhou 313000, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Tong
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Zhong-Qing
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Dong-Wei
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012449:Safety; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A