OBJECTIVETo explore the objective evaluation index of acupuncture effect through study on the differences of surface electromyography of deltoid before and after acupuncture at some specific points.

METHODSTwenty-six cases of periarthritis were treated with acupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianqian (Extra), Jianliao (TE 14) and Binao (LI 14). The treatment was given once every other day, six treatments were required. The deltoid myoelectricity indices were collected and analyzed before treatment, after treatment and after 5 s manipulations at each acupoint.

RESULTSCompared with the deltoid myoelectricity before treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th manipulations during the acupuncture stimulation at Jianqian (Extra), the 2nd, 3rd and 6th manipulations at Binao ( LI 14) (all P < 0.05) and all the 6 manipulations at Jianyu (LI 15) (all P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in all the 6 manipulations at Jianliao (TE 14) (all P > 0.05). And the differences of deltoid surface myoelectricity before and after the 6 acupuncture treatments were all with statistic significance (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONA certain therapeutic effect can be found in treatment of periarthritis with acupuncture. And the effect at Jianyu (LI 15) is proved to be the most obvious. Jianqian (Extra) and Binao (LI 14) are considered as the second obvious. While no significant effect can be found at Jianliao (TE 14).