Electroacupuncture following microsurgical neurorrhaphy: functional and histological outcomes in a rat model.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated electroacupuncture (EA) as adjunctive therapy after peripheral nerve repair in a rat model.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats underwent right sciatic nerve transection followed by neurorrhaphy and were randomized into EA or control groups. EA was performed twice weekly for 12 weeks. Sensory and motor recovery were assessed by nociceptive, mechanical, thermal, and sciatic functional index tests. Histological analyses evaluated Schwann cell and vascular densities, and gastrocnemius muscle weight was measured at euthanasia.

RESULTS

Sensory recovery was significantly greater in the EA group, with higher pain (3 [3-3.75] versus 2 [1-2], p = 0.02), pressure (2.5 [1.25-3] versus 0 [0-1], p = 0.009), and thermal sensitivity scores (2 [2-2.75] versus 0 [0-0], p = 0.02). Motor recovery and vascular density did not differ between groups. Distal Schwann cell density was significantly higher in the EA group (73.5 [67.4-74.1] versus 34.7 [34.5-38.4], p = 0.014). Gastrocnemius muscle weight was reduced in operated limbs in both groups, without intergroup differences.

CONCLUSION

EA improved sensory recovery and increased distal Schwann cell density, supporting its potential as an adjunctive therapy after peripheral nerve repair.