ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b><br> Seifu, devised in 1992 by Xu, is a therapeutic technique of “pulling the skin”. Its effects on the blood pressure, edema, and pain were previously reported in part 1. In this report,Electroencephalography (EEG) changes between before and after Seifu were evaluated.<br><b>Subjects and Methods</b><br> The electroencephalograph was performed using an FM-717 biofeedback system (FUTEK, Yokohama, Japan).<br> EEG was recorded for 1 minute each before and after Seifu, and changes in brain waves were analyzed. <br> The subjects were 7 males and 39 females with a mean age of 74.7±16.2 years who underwent Seifu for 5 minutes or longer (5-30 mins, mean : 13.8±6.3 mins) a total of 131 times.<br> EEG was also recorded for 1 minutes each before and after Seifu by 2 Seifu therapists.<br><b>Results</b><br> The percentages of β-dominant (p<0.05) and θ-dominant (p<0.001) periods significantly decreased, and the percentages of α2-distribution (p<0.01) and α3-distribution (p<0.05) periods significantly increased.<br> With one therapist, β waves decreased, after both the first and second Seifu treatments. With the other therapist, α1 and α2 waves increased, but θ waves decreased, after both the first and second Seifu treatments.<br><b>Discussion</b><br> The results indicate that sleepiness was resolved, tension was mitigated, and the level of relaxation rose, after Seifu. In other words, Seifu brought about a feeling of calm wakefulness.<br> This suggests an increase in serotonin secretion after Seifu.<br> Serotonin generated from tryptophan is a neurotransmitter with an antidepressant effect and causes composure and a sense of stability. An increase in serotonin secretion is reported to induce calm wakefulness and α2-dominant EEG traces. Therefore, the results of our study suggest that Seifu treatment of a sufficient duration stimulates serotonin secretion.<br> Seifu is performed by “simple and constant rhythmic movements”. The technique of Seifu closely resembles that of grooming.<br> Such simple and constant rhythmic movements are considered to stimulate serotonin secretion, and grooming reportedly increases serotonin secretion in both the groomer and groomed.<br> Therefore, the health of not only the Seifu recipient but also Seifu therapist is considered to be promoted by increased serotonin secretion.<br><b>Conclusion</b><br> The changes in EEG traces after Seifu of a sufficient duration suggested increased serotonin secretion.<br> Seifu is considered to promote the health of not only the recipient but also the therapist by increasing serotonin secretion.
ABSTRACT
<B>Introduction</B><BR> Seifu, devised in 1992 by Xu, is a method of treatment through “pulling the skin”, unlike the approaches of treatment adopted in Shiatsu, massage, or acupuncture. This paper reports our recent evaluations of the effects of Seifu on the blood pressure, pain, and edema.<BR><B>Materials and Methods</B><BR> The blood pressure was measured before and after Seifu in 36 individuals (mean age : 78.6±6.6 years) who underwent Seifu for 5 sessions or more. The effects on edema were evaluated in 14 individuals aged 45-90. Changes in the severity of edema following Seifu were analyzed. The effects on pain were evaluated in two ways.<BR>1) Effects on acute pain<BR> The effects on pain arising from injection into the knee were evaluated in three groups of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: Group A (injection after the application of Seifu to the acupuncture point Gohkoku (LI4); n=7, mean age: 72.8±2.8 years), Group B (injection after the application of Seifu to the area around the knee; n=198, mean age: 75.3±9.1 years) and Group C (injection after the application of Seifu to the acupuncture point Saninkoh (SP6) ; n=62, mean age: 75.0±7.5 years).<BR>2) Effects on subcuate and chronic pain<BR> Pain was evaluated before and after Seifu using a visual analog scale (VAS) in 103 patients with some subacute or chronic pain(n=594, mean age: 73.4±12.4 years).<BR><B>Results</B><BR>1. Blood pressure<BR> The blood pressure decreased significantly in 5 and increased significantly in the normal range in 1 of the 36 subjects. No significant change in the blood pressure was noted in the other 30 subjects.<BR>2. Edema<BR> Seifu was effective against pitting edema. However, in pateints followed for long periods of time after the surgical treatment of breast cancer, the skin hardness decreased but edema showed no marked reduction. Seifu exerted no effect on Quincke edema.<BR>3. Pain<BR>1) Acute pain<BR> Pain at the time of injection was not alleviated in Group A. Pain at the time of injection was alleviated in 73.3% of the subjects from Group B and 69.4% from Group C. This percenatge did not differ significantly between Groups B and C.<BR>2) Subacute and chronic pain<BR> Mean VAS±SD decreased significantly from 6.6±2.0 before to 3.4±1.8 after Seifu (p<0.001).<BR><B>Discussion</B><BR> Seifu was shown to be effective against pitting edema. In cases where lymph ducts and vascular walls are intact, edema is expected to be alleviatedl by the Seifu-induced activation of lymph system autotransportation and its milking action on veins.<BR>Seifu seems to alleviate pain via the mechanism proposed in the gate control theory.<BR><B>Conclusion</B><BR> Seifu is simple to apply and effective against pitting edema and pain, without exhibiting adverse effects on the blood pressure.