Therapeutic Observation of Electroacupuncture plus Muscle Energy Technique for Upper Crossed Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus muscle energy technique (MET) in treating upper crossed syndrome (UCS).Method Forty UCS patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 20 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by electroacupuncture, while the treatment group was treated with MET to relax and regulate the cervical and shoulder muscles in addition to electroacupuncture. The two groups were treated once a day, for 3 weeks in total. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result After the treatment, the VAS, NDI, HAMD, and PSQI scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.05). The scores of all parameters in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.0% in the treatment group versus 85.0% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus MET can improve the pain, depression, sleep disorder, and the quality of life of UCS patients.