Comparison of the efficacy between normal acupuncture and electro-acupuncture for adhesive capsulitis

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of normal acupuncture versus electro-acupuncture for adhesive capsulitis, this study was conducted on 42 participants from Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution, who were assigned randomly to two groups: the electro-acupuncture group (n = 21) and normal acupuncture group (n = 21). Over a series of ten sessions, the normal acupuncture group received standard acupuncture while the electro-acupuncture group received standard acupuncture and electric stimulation via an electric current generator. The two groups were assessed at three assessment points (before, during and after treatment) using visual analogue scales to rate their pain and disability levels according to the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. In depth analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test, Fisher’s exact test and the paired samples Wilcoxon test revealed that both normal acupuncture and electro-acupuncture reported statistically significant improvements in pain and disability scores as well as shoulder active range of motion. It was also calculated that electro-acupuncture had an efficacy rate of 90.5%, compared to normal acupuncture's 57.10%. Thus, other than providing support for the effectiveness of normal acupuncture, this study also showed that electro-acupuncture had a higher rate of efficacy.