Effects of acupuncture at difference meridian on heart rate variability

• Main Authors: Hsin-Heng Tseng, 曾信衡
• Other Authors: Chien-Yue Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/xt4mu5

碩士 === 國立雲林科技大學 === 光學電子工程研究所 === 96 === The diseases or disorders for which acupuncture therapy has been tested in controlled clinical trials reported in the recent literature, such as analgesia, the adjustment of the digestive system, the management of stress. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) acts as a control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body. These activities are generally performed without conscious control or sensation. The object of this randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was to assess the effects of acupuncture applied to SJ9 (Sidu) point, LI10 (Shousanli) point, PC4 (Ximen) point or ST36 (Zusanli) point on sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activities by power spectrum analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy subjects. The 74 healthy male subjects (mean±SD age, 23.0±1.9 years) were randomly divided into four groups: SJ9 acupuncture group (n=13), LI10 acupuncture group (n=12), PC4 acupuncture group (n=13), ST36 acupuncture group (n=12), sham acupuncture group (n=12) and control group (n=12). In this study, the vagal nerve activity and the sympathetic nerve activity during the stimulation period and the post-stimulation period exhibited significant decreases and increases compared to the pre-stimulation period for the control group, respectively. In acupuncture group, the vagal nerve activity and the sympathetic nerve activity during the post-stimulation period exhibited decreases and increases compared to the pre-stimulation period and the stimulation period, respectively. Only the the sympathetic nerve activity during the stimulation period exhibited significant increases compared to the pre-stimulation period, but it was not continuously increase in the post-stimulation period for the LI10 acupuncture group. Sham acupuncture could slightly chang the vagal nerve activity and the sympathetic nerve activity. It was concluded that acupuncture could avoid the decrease of the vagal nerve activity and restrain the sympathetic nerve activity. However, acupuncture at the LI10 point could excite the activity of both the sympathetic and the vagal nerve. The decrease of the vagal nerve activity was avoided by acupuncture that may influence cardiovascular system, reduce mental fatigue and stress, or relieve unwell feeling. The modulating effect of acupuncture on HRV depended on the points of stimulation such as acupuncture at different points. The mechanism of acupuncture is still unknown and further study is necessary.