Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on force-displacement value(FDV)of muscle state and the temperature index of infrared thermogram in patients with acute lumbar muscle sprain.METHODS:Patients with acute lumbar muscle sprain were randomly divided into a medication group and an EA group.The medication group(n-60) were treated with diclofenac sodium dual release enteric-coated capsules,75 mg per day for 7days.The EA group(n = 60) received EA at bilateral Houxi(SI 3),Jiaji(EX-B2),and Ashi points,at 20-30 mm depth and 10-25 Hz frequency for 20 min daily for 7 days.Muscle states were determined by measuring FDVs of the bilateral lumbar muscle with a Myotonometer fast muscle state detector.The temperature index of the lumbar skin was measured before and after treatment with a Fluke Ti30 non-refrigerated focal plane infrared thermal imaging detector.RESULTS:There were no significant pre-treatment differences between the medication group and the EA group in mean FDV(P = 0.052) or temperature index of the lumbar skin(P = 0.25).The cure rate was 63.3%in the EA group and 53.3%in the medication group.The total efficacy in the EA group(93.3%) was not significantly different from that in the medication group(86.6%,P = 0.204).After treatment,the mean FDV of the lumbar muscle significantly increased in both groups(P < 0.05 for both groups);the FDV increase in the EA group was significantly higher than in the medication group(P = 0.015).The temperature index was also significantly increased in both groups(P < 0.05 for both groups);the infrared thermogram in the EA group indicated significantly greater recovery compared to the medication group(P = 0.026).CONCLUSION:Both EA and diclofenac sodium markedly improved acute lumbar sprain,but EA better improved the rehabilitation and regeneration of FDVs and temperature index of infrared thermogram of the muscle.

Key words: Lumbar sprain, Electroacupuncture, Force-displacement value, Muscular state, Infrared thermogram