Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits
Published on: July 21, 2023
Evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs
Ayne Murata Hayashi1, Julia Maria Matera, Ana Carolina Brandão de Campos Fonseca Pinto
1Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Objective:
To evaluate use of electroacupuncture combined with standard Western medical treatment versus Western medical treatment alone for treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs.
Design:
Prospective controlled study.
Animals:
50 dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.
Procedures:
Dogs were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups and classified as having grade 1 to 5 neurologic dysfunction. Dogs in group 1 received electroacupuncture stimulation combined with standard Western medical treatment; those in group 2 received only standard Western medical treatment. A numeric score for neurologic function was evaluated at 4 time points to evaluate effects of treatments.
Results:
Time (mean +/- SD) to recover ambulation in dogs with grade 3 and 4 dysfunction in group 1 (10.10 +/- 6.49 days) was significantly lower than in group 2 (20.83 +/- 11.99 days). Success (able to walk without assistance) rate for dogs with grade 3 and 4 dysfunction in group 1 (10/10 dogs) was significantly higher than that of similarly affected dogs in group 2 (6/9 dogs). Dogs without deep pain perception (grade 5 dysfunction) had a success (recovery of pain sensation) rate of 3 of 6 and 1 of 8 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, but the difference was not significant. Overall success rate (all dysfunction grades) for group 1 (23/26; 88.5%) was significantly higher than for group 2 (14/24; 58.3%).
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Electroacupuncture combined with standard Western medical treatment was effective and resulted in shorter time to recover ambulation and deep pain perception than did use of Western treatment alone in dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.
