ABSTRACT
[Objective]We researched the effect of five distal acupuncture points that is used for a treatment of eye disorders. [Method]This study was conducted on healthy non-smoking volunteers. We observed change at the time of the rest (Study 1, the control group n=65), and we observed effects of ocular circulation by acupuncture stimulation (Study 2, the stimulus group n=118). Stimulus groups were divided into five groups that are according to the acupoint stimulated as following:GB20 (Fuchi) group, LI4 (Gokoku) group, BL18 (Kanyu) group, GB37 (Komei) group and LI11 (Kyokuchi) group. Blood-flow velocity and pulsatility index (PI) in the central retinal artery (CRA) of the eye were measured using color Doppler imaging. An acupuncture needle was retained for 15min at the selected point. Dates were obtained at intervals of 7.5 min for a total of seven times during a 45-minute period while the subject was in the sitting position. [Results]In the control group showed no significant changeas for all cases of blood-flow velocity and PI. In groups with the stimulus showed that blood-flow velocity in the CRA was increased significantly and PI was decreased significantly. Blood pressure and heart rate scarcely changed in two groups.[Conclusion]These results suggest that acupuncture on the distal acupuncture points that is used for a treatment of eye disorders changes the circulation of CRA. The effect on the ocular circulation was greater in GB37 or in LI4, and was comparatively smaller in GB20.
ABSTRACT
[Purpose]Acupuncture stimulation is known to improve visual acuity. Since this improvement was frequently disassociated with refractive change, we determined the mechanism by examining the patients without lens accommodation. <BR>[Methods]Patients (n = 30) receiving cataract surgery in 2005 at Meiji University of Oriental Medicine Hospital were examined (mean age: 73.0). Bilateral LI4, Taiyang and shang-jingming points were stimulated by acupuncture needles for 10 min (acupoints stimulation). On a different day, the same patients received sham points stimulation at 1 cm above or lateral from the above-mentioned acupoints. Both uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured with a logMAR scale at pre-and post-acupuncture stimulations. Furthermore, the patients with improved UCVA and BCVA typically (n = 4) received topical tropicamide eyedrops for suppression of pupil diameter change. UCVA and BCVA were measured at pre-and post-acupuncture stimulation.<BR>[Results]Acupoints stimulation significantly improved both UCVA (0.39 to 0.30, p < 0.0006) and BCVA (0.15 to 0.08, p < 0.0001). Although sham points stimulation also significantly improved both UCVA (0.38 to 0.32, p < 0.02) and BCVA (0.14 to 0.09, p < 0.0001), there was no significant difference in comparison with acupoints stimulation controls. Under mydriasis after tropicamide eyedrops, acupuncture stimulation did not improved UCVA, and the variation of BCVA was significantly different from control (p < 0.013).<BR>[Discussion]Acupuncture stimulation improved UCVA and BCVA even in elderly patients that lack accommodation. Our results imply that as pupil diameter changes, a subsequent pinhole effect may be a critical mechanism for UCVA and BCVA improvement by acupuncture stimulation. In addition, the phenomena are not specific effects of acupoints and imply a response via sensory nerves.
ABSTRACT
[Objectives] Acupuncture has shown to be beneficial for pseudomyopia and asthenopia patients through the improvement of hypermyotonia of the masculus ciliaris. Since acupuncture leads to visual acuity improvement and increases the retinal blood-flow volume, we wished to examine whether acupuncture results in higher retinal sensitivity.<BR>[Methods] Eleven healthy adults were recruited for this study. They received acupuncture (leaving needle) of LI4 (Hegu), Taiyang, and shang-jingming on both sides for 10 minutes in the supine position. Ten minutes of supine position with rest was used as a control. Retinal sensitivity before and after acupuncture, was measured using the blue-on-yellow program of the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA). The increase of mean deviation parameter (MD), foveal sensitivity, and examination time were analyzed.<BR>[Results] Acupuncture did not influence the MD or foveal sensitivity in this study. However, examination time was significantly prolonged in the control (p< 0.05), but this was suppressed by acupuncture. The number of volunteers with a shorter examination time was significantly larger than the control (p< 0.05).<BR>[Conclusions] A significant improvement in healthy volunteers was not detected by HFA. However, acupuncture may influence both the improvement of asthenopia and the concentration of the volunteers, leading to shortened examination times.
ABSTRACT
We previously reported the possibility that acupuncture stimulation to the Guangming (GB37) increased retinal blood-flow volume. In this study, we examined whether this reaction was peculiar to GB37 by measuring the blood-flow velocity and pulsatility index (PI) of the central retinal artery (CRA) with Color Doppler imaging. The points to be stimulated were the Waiqiu (GB36), GB37, the Yangfu (GB38) or the non-meridian point on the outside of the crus. Acupuncture stimulus was applied to one point on the right side with a needle for 15min. Seven measurements were made at intervals of 7.5min during a 45-minute period while the subject (control group n=35, stimulus group n=89) was in the sitting position. Patterns of the change in blood-flow velocity and PI with time differed significantly between the five groups. An increase in retinal blood-flow volume occurred in the GB37 group only suggesting there was a peculiarity related to the meridian point. The reaction patterns of the right and left eyes were not significantly different. Blood pressure and heart rate exhibited no significant differences either. These results suggest the relevance of choosing GB37 for improving or maintaining the retinal blood-flow volume.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted on 82 nonsmoking healthy young volunteers divided into two groups. The GB37 group consisted of 39 people who were subjected to stimulation of the Guangming (GB37), and the control group consisted of 43 people who were not so stimulated. Blood-flow velocity and pulsatility index (PI) in the central retinal artery (CRA) of the right eye were measured using Color Doppler imaging. Blood pressure and heart rate were also measured at the same time. The type of stimulus was acupuncture applied on the right GB37 with the needle retained for 15min. Seven measurements were made at intervals of 7.5min during a 45-minute period while the subject was in the sitting position. The GB37 group was first measured just before stimulation and observed for 30 min after the needle was removed. There were significant differences in blood-flow velocity and PI between the two groups. In the GB37 group, blood-flow velocity in the CRA increased remarkably and PI decreased remarkably. These values scarcely changed in the control group. There were no significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate between the two groups. These results suggest that acupuncture stimulus on GB37 changes the circulation of CRA by a mechanism other than blood pressure, resulting in an increase in retinal blood-flow volume.