J Korean Med Sci.  2007 Apr;22(2):347-351. 10.3346/jkms.2007.22.2.347.

The Effect of 2 Hz and 100 Hz Electrical Stimulation of Acupoint on Ankle Sprain in Rats

• Hahm TS

• KMID: 1713199
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2007.22.2.347

Abstract

The electrical stimulation of acupoint (ESA) releases several endogenous neuropeptides, which play important roles in management of pain and inflammation. ESA with low and high frequencies has been shown to release different neuropepides, suggesting its various therapeutic effects. Pain and edema are major problems for ankle sprain. However, there have been few reports on the effects of ESA for ankle sprain. We aimed to investigate that ESA can reduce pain and edema resulting from ankle sprain, and whether there is a difference in therapeutic effects between low and high frequency ESA. To induce ankle sprain in Sprague-Dawley rats, the ankle of right hindpaw was overextended in direction of simultaneous inversion and plantar flexion. Stepping force and edema in the paw of the sprained ankle were measured by electronic balance and plethysmometer, respectively. In both 2 and 100 Hz ESA groups, stepping force was increased significantly in similar degrees (p<0.05). Only 2 Hz ESA produced the significant rapid decrease in ankle edema. This study demonstrates that ESA of 2 Hz and 100 Hz shows comparable analgesic effects, but only 2 Hz ESA can facilitate the reduction of edema caused by ankle sprain.

Keyword

Electrical Stimulation; Acupoint ; Frequency, Sprains and Strains; Ankle

MeSH Terms

Treatment Outcome
Sprains and Strains/diagnosis/etiology/*physiopathology/*prevention & control
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Rats
Male
Electroacupuncture/*methods
Edema/diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology/prevention & control
Arthralgia/diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control
Ankle Injuries/complications/diagnosis/*physiopathology/*therapy
Animals

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Changes in stepping forces of right paws in a rat. (A) shows the normal pattern of stepping forces of right frontpaw (RF) and hindpaw (RH) during walking before ankle sprain. (B) shows the pattern of stepping forces at 24 hr after ankle sprain of right hindpaw. The ankle sprain induces the marked decrease in stepping force of right hindpaw.

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  Fig. 2 Changes in paw volumes of right hindpaw before ankle sprain and at 24 hr after sprain. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. *p<0.001 compared to the value before sprain.

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  Fig. 3 Effects of 2 Hz and 100 Hz ESA on recovery of stepping forces in the paw of the sprained ankle at 24 hr after ankle sprain. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. *p<0.05 compared to the value at pre-ESA.

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  Fig. 4 Comparison of maximal % recovery in 2 Hz and 100 Hz ESA. There is no difference between two groups. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. *p<0.05 compared to the value the control group.

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  Fig. 5 Effects of 2 Hz and 100 Hz ESA on reduction of edema volumes in the paw of the sprained ankle at 24 hr after ankle sprain. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. *p<0.05 compared to the value at 6 and 12 hr in 100 Hz ESA and control groups.

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