[Functional changes in the pituitary-adrenal system during the action of electroacupuncture on patients with spinal osteochondrosis].

A session of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EAP) of the nerve points of the cervicobrachial or lumbosacral regions was performed in 61 patients with vertebral osteochondrosis. An EAP therapeutic effect, analgetic one in particular, was found to depend on cortisol and aldosterone blood levels: reduced levels of the hormones related to EAP procedure appeared associated with a positive therapeutic response.