ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture and acupuncture alone for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra.@*METHODS@#One hundred patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with regular acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40), points, Jiaji (L～L) and Shenshu (BL 23); the acupuncture was given once a day, six treatments per week for consecutive 2 weeks. Based on the acupuncture treatment in the control group, in the observation group the No.5 injection needle was applied to relieve the tenderness points on the transverse process and articular process of the third lumbar vertebra, followed by hydro-acupuncture with injection (1 mL per point, 7 days per injection for 2 weeks). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were observed before treatment, after treatment and during six-month follow-up visit in the two groups. In addition, the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Forty-eight patients completed treatment and 2 patients dropped off in the observation group, while 47 patients completed treatment and 3 patients dropped off in the control group. The total effective rate was 91.7% (44/48) in the observation group, which was significantly superior to 76.6% (36/47) in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the VAS and ODI in the two groups were reduced after treatment and during six-month follow-up visit, while the JOA was increased (all <0.05); the VAS and ODI in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, while JOA in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with hydro-acupuncture are effective for transverse processes syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra, and could significantly improve lumbar function and relieve the pain symptoms, which is superior to regular acupuncture.