Abstract: Objective To study and observe the intervention effects of Acupuncture on spinal cord injury rats by using factorial design. The best combination rules of the best time course and electrical stimulation site were explored.Methods 96 experimental spinal cord injury rats were randomly divided into four groups: acupuncture on head intervention group (group A), acupuncture on body intervention group (group B), complex intervention group (group A+B) and nonintervention group (group D) . There were 24 rats in each group. The rats received electrical stimulation according experimental design. The motor function of the rats' hind limbs were detected at different time sites(1 w, 2 w, 4 w, 8 w and 12 w).Results The Results among different Methods of electrical stimulation are significantly different. The levels of the rat's BBB scale, and evoked potential(MEP) in the group A+B were the best among four groups (P＜0.05). The BBB scale and evoked potential(MEP)of the rats in each group are significantly different at different time sites (P＜0.05). It means that each kind of electrical stimulation plays a positive role in promoting restoration of motor function. The correct analysis for factorial design data is helpful to the fully application of information.Conclusion Factorial design can be used in research projects of Acupuncture, especially the design for multiple factors and multiple levels.

Key words: factorial design, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, spinal cord injury