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The effect of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture on lower limb muscle strength

手捻针和电针对下肢肌力的影响

  • Clinical Study
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Abstract

Objective

To determine whether six weeks' of acupuncture has a positive effect on plantar flexion muscle strength and whether electroacupuncture (EA) has a greater effect than manual acupuncture (MA) on plantar flexion, so that the most beneficial method of acupuncture can be established for strengthening muscles.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial with parallel groups. A total of 20 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a control/non-acupuncture group (n=6), a manual acupuncture group (MAG) (n=8) and an electroacupuncture group (EAG) (n=6). MAG and EAG received three 25-minute treatments per week for 6 weeks. The control group continued with their normal training activity and received no treatment. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the ankle plantar-flexors at 30° per second was measured using Biodex system 3.

Results

Both MA and EA had a positive effect in increasing plantar flexion strength. The likelihood for this happening was high; 69% for MA and 92% for EA when compared with the control group. However the effect size was small for both groups. There was only a trivial difference in the effect size between the EAG and the MAG in regards to average plantar flexion torque.

Conclusion

EA and MA have a beneficial effect on plantar flexion muscle strength compared with the control group in healthy population.

摘要

目的

验证6 个星期的针刺治疗对跖屈肌肌力是否有积极影响, 并比较电针和手捻针的效果, 从而确立增强肌力的最佳针刺方法。

方法

研究采用随机平行对照法。20 例参与者随机分为3 组: 对照/非针刺组(n=6), 手捻 针组(n=8)及电针组(n=6)。手捻针组及电针组每星期各治疗3 次, 1 次25 min, 共治疗6 星期。对照组仅予以一般训 练。应用Biodex system 3 测量踝关节跖屈位30°时跖屈肌每秒最大自主收缩力。

结果

手捻针与电针皆可提高跖屈肌肌力, 与对照组比较, 起效可能性都较高: 手捻针为69%, 电针为92%。但两个针刺组的效应量都较小。两个针刺组平均跖屈力矩比较, 效应量差异不显著。

结论

对于健康人群, 电针及手捻针都有利于提高跖屈肌力量。

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BX, UK

    Stephen Payton

  2. School of Biomechanics Sports and Remedial Therapies, Nottingham, NG10 4LB, UK

    Steven D. Bailey

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Correspondence to Stephen Payton.

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Payton, S., Bailey, S.D. The effect of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture on lower limb muscle strength. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 15, 47–53 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-017-0974-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-017-0974-2

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