Article

OBJECTIVE : To determine the effect of unilateral manual acupuncture at selected
acupoints on ankle dorsiflexion strength of both limbs, and compare the effect
with that of electroacupuncture at the same acupoints and sham points. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation laboratory of a university.
PARTICIPANTS: Young men
(N=43) were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control;
manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture on 2 acupoints (ST-36 and ST-39); and
electroacupuncture on 2 nonacupoints. These points were located on the tibialis
anterior muscle. INTERVENTIONS: The participants in the experimental groups
received 15 to 30 minutes of acupuncture or electroacupuncture on the right leg
in each session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
maximal strength in isometric ankle dorsiflexion of both legs was assessed before
and after the experimental period. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of
variance identified significant and similar strength gains (range, 35%-64% in the
right leg and 32%-49% in the left leg; P<.01) in all acupuncture groups, but not
in the control group (-2% to 2%, P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral manual
acupuncture and electroacupuncture at the acupoints can improve muscle strength
in both limbs, and electroacupuncture at the nonacupoints as used in this study can also induce similar strength gains.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS