Comparative Use of Electromyography in the Evaluation of Electroacupuncture and Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) Effect on Regeneration of Sciatic Nerve in Dog

Objective-To determine the effect of Electroacupuncture and Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation on Regeneration of Sciatic Nerve in Dog   Design - Experimental in vivo study. Animals - A total of 15 adult male mixed bred dogs, weighing 26±2.6 Kg/BW with aging of 42±6 months, which were divided into three groups of  5 dogs. Procedures-Under general anesthesia, the right sciatic nerves were exposed and completely crushed using artery forceps within 5 seconds in each dog. No treatment was given to control group, dogs in experimental group  (I) were subjected to electro-acupuncture treatment  daily for 10 minutes for a period of 15 days by locating BL60, SP9, GB30,and ST36 acupoints using 4 Hwato needles of 0.3×40 mm with 50Hz frequency and 30 to100 mA intensity and  dogs in  experimental   group (II) were subjected to transcutaneous   electrical stimulation daily for 10 minutes using  four superficial electrodes with 100 Hz frequency and intensity of 80 µs (2.8 ±1.6 mA). Clinical signs were recorded for two months and electromyography was recorded from right semi-membranous, semitendinous, extensors and flexors groups of muscles in normal after crush and on 14, 28, and 45 days.    Results- The right hind limb paralysis was observed in all dogs of three groups immediately after full recovery from anaesthesia. The positive effect of electro-acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical stimulation were observed on second week on skin wound healing and increasing physical activity by improvement and changes in weight bearing and coordination on 3rd week and normal coordination and full weight bearing on 5th week in all dogs of experimental groups.  Significant changes in reduction of amplitude in all muscles which were persistence in semimembranous and semitendineosus in control group till end of observation period of 60 days were recorded. Significant improvement in amplitude which showed regaining muscle strength in both experimental groups was recorded at the end of 28 days. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Application of electro acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical stimulation for regeneration of neural injuries and regaining muscular function can be recommended in dogs.