[Observation on the therapeutic effect of external counterpulsation in progressive muscular dystrophy]

Twelve cases of progressive muscular dystrophy were treated with external counterpulsation (ECP). The therapeutic results of ECP were shown as follows: markedly improved, 3 cases: improved 6 cases: slightly improved 2 cases and no effect 1 case after ECP Clinical, improvement in various degrees developed in all the cases. Dystrophy muscle enlarged in 11 of the 12 cases. Gastrocnemius muscles softened and lessened in 3 of 8 cases. CPK markedly decreased in 9 of 10 cases. In electron microscopic examination the ultrastructure of the diseased muscles was found to have obviously improved, the structure and form of most mitochondria returned to normal, and collection of glycogen was rarely seen.