Use of Noninvasive Electroacupuncture for the Treatment of HIV-Related Peripheral Neuropathy: A Pilot Study

Author(s): EKE-OKORO, S., FINDLEY, T., CONDOLUCI, D.

Abstract: Objectives: The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that low-voltage noninvasive electroacupuncture will improve the condition of neuropathic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.Design: A prospective study using HIV/AIDS patients who had antiretroviral drug-induced neuropathy. Eleven patients were enrolled, but complete data was obtained from only 7. Noninvasive skin electrodes were placed on leg acupuncture points BL60, ST36, K1, LIV3, and low-voltage current passed for 20 minutes every day for 30 days. Patients were assessed preintervention and postintervention with MOS-HIV 30-item instrument questionnaire and tibial H-reflex was similarly recorded from the right calf muscle.Results: There was improvement in the condition of all 7 patients. They felt much better and reported feelings of increased physical strength. Outcomes on MOS-HIV 30-item instrument showed significant overall improvement in functional activities (pre 33 ± 10, post 38.4 ± 9.6, p = 0.02 MANOVA). This was confirmed by postintervention H-reflex parameters; H-max and direct muscle response (M-response) amplitudes were potentiated in relation to pretreatment values (H-max: pre = 1.19 ± 1.2, post = 2.68 ± 1.9, p < 0.05; M-response: pre = 0.93 ± 1.1, post 2.34 ± 1.8, p < 0.05); M-response latency decreased in relation to pretreatment value (pre 9.7 ± 1.8, post = 7.8 ± 1.9, p < 0.01).Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that low-voltage electroacupuncture will improve the condition of the neuropathic HIV/AIDS patient.

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