背景：針灸和電針治療有關可幫助後肢受損神經神經再生已經證實，但對於前肢正中神經的影響尚不清楚。
方法：本研究應用矽膠管，來接合每隻大鼠的截斷正中神經。從形態學，電生理和電生理功能的角度，使用針灸及電針來治療截斷的正中神經，並對其對於正中神經再生的影響進行了評估。
結果：形態上，與對照組相比發現接受針灸和電針治療組有較大面積的總神經面積及血管數量。電生理上，接受電針組相對於對照組有顯著較大幅度的面積和誘發的肌肉動作電位。在功能上，針灸和電針治療促進受傷爪子的能力增強，恢復其握力，並造成一個新的雙邊平衡。
結論：我們的研究結果提供了針灸和電針促進正中神經神經再生方面的多項角度的療效評估。事實上，針灸和電針可以對於神經再生過程產生積極的影響。這個平台，有利於進一步研究使用針灸和電針替代療法治療神經損傷，提供患者的臨床應用。
Background: Acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments of damaged nerve may aid nerve regeneration related to hindlimb function, but the effects on forelimb-related median nerve was not known.
Methods: A gap was made in rat median nerve by suturing the stumpsinto silicone rubber tubes and the influences of acupuncture and electro- acupuncture treatments on nerve regeneration were evaluated from morphological, electrophysiological and functional angles.
Results: Morphologically, the groups receiving acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments had larger total nerve area and blood vessel number compared with the controls. Electrophysiologically, the group receiving electroacupuncture had significantly larger amplitude and larger area of the evoked muscle action potentials compared with the controls. Functionally, the acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatment enhanced the injured paw to regain the grasping power, and a faster efficiency to a new bilateral balance.
Conclusion: Our findings provided multi-approach evidence of the efficacy for acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments to the regeneration of median nerve.Indeed, the acupuncture and electroacupuncture appeared to have a detrimental effect on the regeneration processes. The platform is beneficial to further study of the clinical application of acupuncture and electroacupuncture alternative treatments on nerve-injured patients.
