Acupuncture guided by electrical stimulation can relieve functional ankle instability / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To document the clinical efficacy of using electrical stimulation to guide acupuncture on the peroneal longus and the peroneal brevis of patients with functional ankle instability (FAI).Methods:Seventy FAI patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 35. Both groups received routine balance function training, proprioception training and manual activation of the peroneal muscles. The observation group also received acupuncture at the motor points of the peroneal longus and the peroneal brevis muscles under the guidance of electrical stimulation, once a day, for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment, any curative effect was quantified using the CAIT ankle instability assessment questionnaire, electromyography (iEMG) of the peroneal longus and the peroneal brevis, as well as those muscles′ excitation times during simulated varus walking.Results:All of the measurements after the treatment were significantly better than before the treatment, with the improvements in the observation group significantly greater than in the control group.Conclusions:Acupuncture at the motor points of the peroneal longus and the peroneal brevis under the guidance of electrical stimulation can effectively activate the related muscles and relieve the symptoms of functional ankle instability.