OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on the third lumbar transverse process syndrome.

METHODSTwenty-five cases of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were randomly divided into 2 groups, an acupoint-injection group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=15). The acupoint-injection group were treated with acupoint injection of BTX-A into tender points at the third lumbar transverse process or surrounding acupoints, and the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at the same points as in the acupoint-injection group. Two months later, their therapeutic effects and the time of producing the effect were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe cured rate and the time of producing the effect were 50.0% and (3.75+/-1.65) days in the acupoint-injection group, and 0, (12.47+/-5.33) days in the acupuncture group, respectively, the former being better than the latter (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical therapeutic effect of injection of BTX-A on the third lumbar transverse process syndrome is better than that of simple acupuncture.