Effect of Electroacupuncture at Different Frequencies on Muscle Rigidity in Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture respectively at 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz on muscle rigidity in Parkinson's disease(PD)by comparing it to oral administration of Levodopa and Benserazide Hydrochloride tablets.METHOD: Ninety-one PD patients were randomized into a medication group of 31 cases,electroacupunture group 1(2 Hz/100 Hz)of 30 cases and electroacupuncture group 2(100 Hz)of 30 cases.Electroacupuncture group 1 and 2 were respectively intervened by electroacupuncture at 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz in addition to the treatment given to the medication group.The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS)and TAS were evaluated prior to intervention,after 30-day treatment,90-day treatment,and in the 180-day follow-up study.RESULT: Compared to that before intervention,the UPDRS and TAS scores were insignificantly changed after 30-day and 90-day treatment,but significantly changed in the 180-day follow-up study(P<0.01)in electroacupuncture group 2;the UPDRS and TAS scores were insignificantly changed after 30-day treatment,but significantly changed after 90-day treatment and in the 180-day follow-up study(P<0.01)in electroacupuncture group 1 and the medication group.Compared to that of the medication group after 90-day treatment and in the 180-day follow-up study,the UPDRS and TAS scores of electroacupuncture group 2 were significantly different(P < 0.01);the UPDRS and TAS scores of electroacupuncture group 1 were insignificantly different from that of the medication group after 30-day treatment,90-day treatment,and in the 180-day follow-up study(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared to electroacupuncture at 2 Hz/100 Hz plus medication and medication alone,electroacupuncture at 100 Hz plus medication can produce a better therapeutic efficacy in improving muscle rigidity of PD.