[Effect of electroacupuncture on lumbar disc herniation with different multifidus fatty infiltration rates]

To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with different multifidus fatty infiltration rates.

A total of 108 eligible LDH patients received MRI test before treatment and the multifidus fatty infiltration rate (FI) was measured. According to theresults, they were divided to group A (FI<10%), group B (10%≤FI≤20%) and group C (FI>20%), 36 cases in each one. EA was provided in all of the groups. The selected acupoints were Jiaji (EX-B 2) from L₃ to S₁ and Dachangshu (BL 25), etc. on the affected side. EA was applied to Jiaji (EX-B 2) at L₃ and L₅ on the affected side (continuous wave, 20 Hz in frequency), retained for 20 min. The treatment was given once every two days, for 10 times totally. Before and after treatment, the score of Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of medical outcomes survey short form-36 (SF-36) scale were observed in each group separately.

Compared with before treatment, ODI score was reduced (P<0.05) and the scores of PCS and MCS were increased (P<0.05) after treatment in the three groups. After treatment, ODI score in the group A was lower than that in either the group B or the group C (P<0.05) and the score in the group B was lower than that in the group C (P<0.05). PCS score in the group A was higher than that in either the group B or the group C (P<0.05) and the score in the group B was higher than the group C (P<0.05).

Electroacupuncture relieves pain and improves physical and psychological health of LDH patients. Multifidus fatty infiltration rate is probably one of the factors to influence the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture.