Abstract【Objective】To evaluate the effect of long-term electroacupuncture stimulation (EA) on sensory and motor function recovery after PNI anastomosis by the establishment of a rat model of peripheral nerve injury (PNI).【Methods】Ninety male rats were selected and divided into control group, PNI group and PNI+EA group according to the method of computer random number table. 30 rats in each group were divided into PNI group and PNI+EA group. The PNI model was established by transection of sciatic nerve in PNI group and PNI+EA group. The PNI + EA group was treated with discontinuous wave EA, while the PNI group and the control group were not treated. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The effects of EA on PNI nerve regeneration were assessed by leg function index (LFI), stimulus reflex threshold (ST), temperature stimulation threshold (TST) and nerve conduction function (NCF).【Results】The LFI values of the PNI + EA group and the PNI group decreased rapidly in the first week of the experiment, and began to rise in the second to the eighth week, while the LFI values of the PNI + EA group were higher than those of the PNI group in the fifth to seventh week, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The ST value of the PNI + EA group and the PNI group decreased gradually from 2 to 8 weeks after the experiment. At the 8th week, the ST value of the PNI + EA group was significantly lower than that of the PNI group (P<0.05). The TST value of PNI + EA group decreased gradually at the 2nd to 6th week, and the TST value of the PNI + EA group was significantly lower than that of the PNI group at the 4th to 8th week (P<0.05). The NCF values of the PNI group and the PNI + EA group were lower than those of the control group at 8 weeks of experiment, while those of the PNI + EA group were higher than those of the PNI group (P<0.05).【Conclusion】Short-term EA may have no significant effect on the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves in rats. Long-term sustained stimulation can promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
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2019, Vol. 36 
