Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) combined with caudal epidural injection on subjective pain

walking capability

lumbar flexibility and muscle strength in patients with lumbar disc hernia(LDH).Methods Sixty LDH patients were randomly allocated to the control group and the research group. The patients of the control group received ultrasound guided caudal epidural injection

and those of the research group received EA combined with ultrasound guided caudal epidural injection. Bilateral Jiaji(EX-B2) and adjunct points Guanyuanshu(BL26)

Shenshu(BL23)

Chengfu(BL36)

Huantiao(GB30)

Zhibian(BL54)

etc. on the affected side were stimulated with EA(2 Hz/16 Hz

5-8 mA) for 30 min each time

once every other day for 4 weeks

with 2 days' rest between every two weeks. The patients' pain was evaluated by using visual analogue scale(VAS)

walking capability assessed by timed-up and go(TUG) test(time of walking back and forth in 3 m distance)

lumbar flexibility(range of motion

ROM) detected by using an inclinometer and the strength of the lumbar flexor and extensor determined by using a push-pull dynamometer. Results After the treatment

self-comparison showed that the VAS score and TUG-measured time in both groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and the post-bucking ROM and extension ROM in the research group

and the lumbar flexor and extensor muscle strength in both groups were obviously increased compared with their own pre-treatment(P<0.05). Comparison between two groups showed that the VAS score and TUG-measured time of the research group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.01)

while the lumbar flexor's ROM as well as the extensor's strength were significantly higher in the research group than in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with LDH

EA combined with caudal epidural injection can alleviate pain

improve the walking capability

lumbar flexibility and strength of the lumbar extensor

and the therapeutic effect of the combined treatment is significantly better than that of simple caudal epidural injection.