The Relationship between the Effect of Acupuncture on Motor Organ Diseases and Medical Expenses of Workers in a Company / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

We employed the Meridian Test to study the effects of acupuncture on m otor organ diseases and medical expenses of workers in a company, where health promotion is a priority. Our two-month trial was done at one factory which employs mainly physical labor workers. Acupuncture treatments were given for pain in the neckshoulder, knee and lumbar regions. After 8 weeks of our treatment, 83% of neck-shoulder pain cases, 77% of lumbar pain cases, and 88% of knee pain cases reported that their pain was reduced more than 50%. The results of a mental test (POMS test) showed a significant decrease in tension, depression, anger, fatigue and mental confusion. In terms of acupuncture treatment, numbers of visits to conventional hospitals were significantly decreased and average medical expenses were reduced to about 30%. These reductions continued for the next 3 months. Acupuncture treatment using the Meridian Test could benefit corporations where health promotion of workers is an urgent priority.

The effects of long-term mild aerobic training at lactate threshold and its cessation on blood pressure in older hypertensive patients under medication / 体力科学

After a general clinical observation period of 3 months, men and women from 66-82 yr. of age with hypertension (n=10) were studied to assess the effects of long-term mild aerobic training and detraining on their blood pressure. Ten patients agreed to take part in aerobic training using a treadmill with the intensity at the lactate threshold (LT) for 30minutes 3-6 times a week for mean 17.1±9.8 months while the time course of changes in the resting blood pressure was monitored.<BR>Following the training period the LT increased significantly by the end of the training period (P<0.001) . After 3months of training both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (P<0.05, respectively) and both blood pressures stabilized at a significantly lower level throughout the remainder of the study. The mean blood pressure decreased significantly for 9 months (P<0.05) . Finally, the systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure were found to have decreased significantly, by 9, 5, 11 mmHg, respectively by the end of the training period. (SBP and MBP: P<0.05, DBP: P<0.01, respectively) . One month after the training ended the systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure all increased significantly (SBP and MBP: P<0.001, DBP: P<0.01, respectively) and approached the initial pre-training levels.<BR>In conclusion, the antihypertensive effect of mild aerobic training at the LT was confirmed for older patients taking antihypertensive medications. However, the cessation of such training resulted in a quick return to pre-training levels.