Effect of Acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) plus Botulinum Toxin Injection on Seated Function of Patients with Spastic Cerebral Palsy / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at lumbar Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus botulinum toxin injection on the seated function of patients with spastic cerebral palsy.Method Sixty patients aged 1-4 years old with spastic cerebral palsy were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at lumbar Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus botulinum toxin injection, while the control group was by conventional acupuncture plus botulinum toxin injection. After 3 treatment courses, the seated function zone (zone B) of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used for evaluation, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result Respectively after 1, 2, and 3 treatment courses, the total effective rates were 46.7%, 73.3% and 83.3% in the treatment group, versus 33.3%, 46.7% and 60.0%. There were significant differences in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups after 2 and 3 courses (P<0.05). After the first treatment course, the seated function score of GMFM was significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). After the second course, the seated function score was significantly different from that after the first course in both groups (P<0.01). After the third course, the seated function score was significantly different from that after the second course in both groups (P<0.01). There was a significant between-group difference in comparing the changes of the seated function score during the second treatment course (P<0.01). There was a significant between-group difference in comparing the changes of the seated function score during the second treatment course (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at lumbar Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus botulinum toxin injection can produce a more significant efficacy in improving the seated function of patients with spastic cerebral palsy.