OBJECTIVETo search for an effective therapy for prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc of yang deficiency and cold coagulation type.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-six cases were randomly divided into a combined electroacupuncture and Chinese herb group (n=49), an electroacupuncture group (n=42) and a Chinese herb group (n=35). The combined electroacupuncture and Chinese herb group was treated with electroacupuncture at Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Xiaochangshu (BL 27) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and oral administration of Chinese herbs for cold-removing and yang-invigorating. The electroacupuncture group was treated with the same electroacupuncture treatment alone and the Chinese herb group with the same self Chinese herbs alone. The therapeutic effects were observed after treatment for 20 days, and the recurrence rates were followed up at 180 days after the last treatment among the three groups.

RESULTSThe cured-markedly effective rate was 79.6% in the combined electroacupuncture and Chinese herb group, 54.8% in the electroacupuncture group and 51.4% in the Chinese herb group, the combined electroacupuncture and Chinese herb group being significantly better than both the electroacupuncture group and the Chinese herb group (both P<0.05) and the therapeutic effect of both the electroacupuncture group and the Chinese herb group being similar (P>0.05). The recurrence rate after 180 days was 15.4% in the combined electroacupuncture and Chinese herb group, 83.3% in the electroacupuncture group and 80.0% in the Chinese herb group, with more obvious decrease in the combined electroacupuncture and Chinese herb group (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with Chinese herbs is a better therapy for prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc of yang deficiency and cold coagulation type.