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[Objectives] In this study, we examined the effects of acupuncture stimulation on short latency reflexes (SLR) and long latency reflexes (LLR) to determine the site of acupuncture stimulation in modulating motor reflexes. Further, we investigated the relationship between changes in LLR and changes in the N20 somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) component induced by acupuncture stimulation and examined changes in central motor conduction time (CMCT).[Subjects and Methods] Sixteen healthy and right-handed adults (11 males and 5 females; 28.9 ± 6.6 years old; upper limb length 54.9 ± 3.2 cm) participated in this study. The experiments were performed under three conditions: (1) control (no acupuncture stimulation), (2) acupuncture stimulation of right-sided Hegu (LI4), and (3) acupuncture stimulation of left-sided LI4. An acupuncture needle (0.18 mm in diameter) was inserted up to a depth of 10 mm at the right- or left-sided LI4. Electrical stimulation was delivered to the median nerve in the right hand joint at a 120% intensity compared with the threshold to produce an M-wave. SLR and LLR were recorded from the opponens pollicis muscle of the right hand. The frequency and amplitude ratio of SLR (latency, approximately 20-30 ms) and LLR (latency, approximately 40-70 ms) were analyzed. SEP was produced by electrical stimulation delivered to the median nerve. The amplitude from baseline and mean latency of N20 waves were measured. F-wave in the evoked electromyography was evoked by electrical stimulation of the median nerve of the right hand at supramaximal intensity to elicit an M-wave and recorded from the opponens pollicis muscle of the same hand. We analyzed the mean latency and calculated the CMCT using the mean latencies of LLR, N20, F-wave, and M-wave.[Results] The frequency and amplitude ratio of SLR were reduced by acupuncture stimulation of left- and right-sided LI4, respectively. LLR frequency and amplitude ratio were reduced by acupuncture stimulations on either side. A correlation was observed between changes in the LLR amplitude ratio and changes in the N20 SEP amplitude ratio induced by acupuncture stimulation. No effect of acupuncture stimulation was observed on CMCT. [Discussion and Conclusion] SLR is the reflex potential of the spinal cord, and LLR is the motor reflex of the central nervous system via supraspinal pathways. These findings suggest that acupuncture stimulation inhibits motor nerve reflexes via both spinal and supraspinal modulation systems.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) signal and neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration in the prefrontal cortex area after acupuncture or Von Frey filament stimulation (epidermal stimulation) at the right Hegu (LI4). METHODS: A total of 76 healthy volunteers (23 men and 53 women, 24.5±1.4 years in age) were recruited in the pre-sent study. Each volunteer received two sessions of fMRI magnetic resonance scanning (MRS) examinations, with an interval of one week between two sessions. The MRI scan sequences included pre-task MRS, resting state BOLD and task MRS, BOLD. A region of Interest (ROI) of 35 mm×30 mm×25 mm was located at the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex areas. In the two sessions of examinations, the right LI4 point was stimulated by manual acupuncture or Von Frey filament-pressing. The tasks were designed as the block design. Each block contained 3 intermittent acupoint stimulations, lasting 30 s in each stimulation and with two minutes' pause between two stimulations. The MRS data were processed by using Linear Combination (LC) Model software (for assessing GABA content), and the BOLD data of fMRI was analyzed by using SPM12 software (comparison within each group), REST1.8 (comparison between two groups), separately. RESULTS: Extensive deactivations were induced by both stimulations, mainly involving the midline regions as the medial prefrontal lobe, and limbic lobe. The deactivation effect of manual acupuncture stimulation was more extensive and intensive than that of Von Frey filament stimulation, especially in the medial prefrontal lobe. Data from 66 volunteers (after exclusion of 10 participants due to bigger standard deviation of GABA/Glx) showed no marked correlation between the GABA concentration and BOLD activation in the anterior cingulate cortex area in both groups(manual acupuncture stimulation group: r=－0.07, －0.08, 0.04; P=0.57, 0.88, 0.74; Von Frey filament epidermal stimulation group: r=－0.10, －0.09, －0.01; P=0.43, 0.46, 0.96). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of LI4 elicits a stronger and broader negative activation effect in the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network including the medial prefrontal cortex in comparison with Von Frey filament stimulation, but no apparent correlation was found between the GABA concentration and BOLD activation in the anterior cingulate cortex after manual acupuncture and Von Frey stimulation.
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OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect on post-stroke insomnia between the repetitive transcranial acupuncture stimulation (rTAS) and the conventional western medication in the patients and to explore the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Ninety patients of post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a rTAS group, a medication group and a placebo group, 30 cases in each one. In the rTAS group, patients were intervened by rTAS. The acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Ningshen (Extra), emotion area, Wangu (GB 12), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zhaohai (KI 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3). Fast twist with small amplitude was used at Baihui (GV 20) and emotion area for 2-3 min, 200-300 r/min, once 15 min. Electroacupuncture (EA) was applied at Baihui (GV 20) and Ningshen (Extra), bilateral Wangu (GB 12), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zhaohai (KI 6) on the same side, 10 Hz, 0.5-1 mA. The treatment was given for 40 min in the rTAS group, once a day. Diazepam was prescribed orally in the medication group before sleep, 2.5 mg a day. Starch capsule was used in the placebo group before sleep, once a day. All the treatment was given for continuous 1 month. The level of serum orexin A was observed before and after treatment. The effects were compared. The recurrence rate was recorded 3 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rates in the rTAS group and the medication group were 86.7% (26/30) and 90.0% (27/30) repectively after treatment, which were better than 20.0% (6/30) in the placebo group (both 0.05). The total effective rates in the rTAS group and the medication group were 86.7% (26/30) and 86.7% (26/30) at follow-up repectively, which were better than 16.7% (5/30) in the placebo group (both <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The rTAS is safe and effective for post-stroke insomnia, which is similar to oral medication of diazepam. The decreasing serum orexin A may be one of the mechanisms.
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Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Orexins , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders , Therapeutics , StrokeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of different layers (skin, muscle, peritoneum, sub-peritoneum) of "Tianshu" (ST 25) region on proximal colonic pressure in normal rats. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD rats were divided into 6 groups: all layer-needling, brushing, cutaneous needling, muscular needling, peritoneum-needling and sub-peritoneum-needling groups (n＝8 in each group). Manual needling or brushing was applied to "Tianshu" (ST 25) region. The colonic internal pressure was measured by using an amplifier and a pressure transducer-connected balloon which was implanted into the colonic cavity about 6 cm from the ileocecal valve. For rats of the all-layer needling group, an acupuncture needle was inserted into ST 25 about 1 cm deep and rotated for a while, for rats of the brushing group, a Chinese calligraphy brush pen was used to brush the skin hair for 1 min. For rats of the rest 4 groups, an acupuncture needle was inserted into the skin, muscle layer after cutting open the skin (about 0.1 cm), the peritoneum layer after cutting open the skin and muscle layers, and the sub-peritoneum layer after cutting open the skin, muscle and peritoneum layers, respectively, and rotated using the uniform reinforcing-reducing technique for about 1 min at a frequency of 120 twirlings per minute every time. RESULTS: During manual needling stimulation of the full layers, cutaneous layer, muscle layer, peritoneum layer and the sub-peritoneum layer of bilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25), the internal pressure of proximal colon was significantly decreased relevant to pre-stimulation in each group (P0.05). During hair brushing of ST 25 region, the colonic pressure was observably increased relevant to pre-needling stimulation (P<0.05). One min after the acupuncture stimulation, the decreased pressures maintained in needling the all-layer on the left side, needling the skin on the right side, needling the peritoneum layer on both sides, and needling the sub-peritoneum layer on both sides relevant to the brushing group of the same side (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture stimulation of each layer tissue of ST 25 on both sides may lower internal pressure of proximal colon in normal rats, suggesting their involvement of acupuncture effect in relaxing proximal colonic contraction.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of superficial needling on electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients with insomnia by using nonlinear kinetics measure. METHODS: Six patients (3 male and 3 female) suffering from insomnia for more than a month were recruited in the present study. EEG data before and during superficial acupuncture stimulation of Shangen point (the midpoint between the bilateral inner canthus) was recorded using an electroencephalograph for analyzing the correlation dimensionality (D 2) and approximate entropy (ApEn) of different cerebral regions. RESULTS: During superficial needling, the D 2 data of the right-forehead (Fp 2), anterior area of the left temple (F 7) and the anterior region of the right temple (F 8) were significantly increased (P<0.05), and ApEn data at the right anterior forehead(Fp 2), left occipital region (O 1), and F 8 region markedly decreased relevant to pre-acupuncture (P<0.05). Both paring test and trend analysis of D 2 data showed no significant changes. Only an obvious increase of D 2 was found in the Fp 2 region, suggesting a coherence of EEG activities in stability and synchronization during acupuncture treatment. Clustering analysis of D 2 data of various cerebral regions displayed a relatively concentrated tendency, particularly in the Fp 2, the right forehead (F 4) and F 8 regions. Factor analysis of ApEn data showed a significant change in Fp 2, F 8, O 1 and right occipital (O 2) regions. It suggests that during superficial needling stimulation of Shangen point, the EEG signals were lowered in complexity, and improved in synchronization, stabilization and ordering, favoring sleep at last. CONCLUSION: Superficial needling of Shangen point can make the EEG signals synchronized in insomnia patients, suggesting an improvement of sleeping.
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To summarize professor 's own experience on the acupuncture sensation. Professor puts forward his opinion through the sensation of acupuncture on himself, from the aspects of the expression, the material basis, the distinction and the clinical significance of acupuncture sensation, etc. Professor thinks that the production and conduction direction of acupuncture sensation have their material basis and objectively exist, based on which, professor puts forward the amount of acupuncture stimulation and the total amount of acupuncture stimulation. Professor believes that the amount of acupuncture stimulation is the main basis for the individual reinforcing and reducing of acupuncture. The amount of acupuncture stimulation is related to the depth and intensity of acupuncture, the time of the needle retention, the number of needles, etc. The reinforcing and reducing of acupuncture are relative to the deficiency and excess of the disease, and they are the reaction of acupuncture for body. The tolerance degree of the individual to the stimulation of acupuncture is also the main factor affecting the reinforcing and reducing.
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Objective To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electro acupuncture stimulation (TEA) on esophageal motility of patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) by high resolution manometry (HRM),and to provide a new treatment option for RGERD.Methods From February 2014 to June 2015,a total of 45 patients with RGERD were enrolled.TEA instrument was used for electro acupuncture stimulation at the points of Zusanli and Neiguan.HRM was carried out before and after treatment.The changes of HRM parameters such as lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP),distal contractile integral (DCI),and amplitude of 3 cm,7 cm above lower esophageal sphincter (LES),esophageal body velocity and contractile front velocity (CFV) were also compared.The paired-samples t test was performed for statistical analysis.Results According to LESP value,45 patients were divided into low LESP group (10 patients) and normal LESP group (35 patients).According to parameter of esophageal motility function,patients were divided into esophageal dysmotility group (25 patients) and normal esophageal motility group (20 patients).After TEA treatment,the LESP of lower LESP group was (14.83± 4.17) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa),which was higher than that before treatment ((9.54 ±2.42) mmHg),and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.92,P=0.001).LESP of esophageal dysmotility group was (19.04±5.91) mmHg,which was higher than that before treatment ((16.20±6.09) mmHg),and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.92,P=0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in LESP of normal LESP group and normal esophageal motility group before and after treatment (both P＞0.05).After treatment,DCI of esophageal dysmotility group was (530.76±215.53) mmHg· cm· s,which was higher than that before treatment ((363.92 ± 279.17) mmHg · cm · s),and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.86,P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in esophageal body velocity,amplitude of 3 cm,7 cm above LES andCFV before and after treatment (all P＞0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in all of the esophageal motility parameters in normal esophageal motility group before and after treatment (all P＞0.05).Conclusion TEA can increase LESP and DCI in RGERD patients with esophageal motility dysfunction,improve contraction of entire esophagus and raise esophageal clearance capacity.
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<b>[Purpose]</b> We know of no reports on the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation, on human skeletal muscle blood flow (MBF), examined quantitatively with a direct method. Therefore, we investigated changes in MBF before, during and after EA with a new clearance method. <b>[Methods]</b> Ten healthy adult volunteers (8 men and 2 women; median age 30.5 years) were given EA to the trapezius at the BL 10 and GB 21 acupoints, employing the left trapezius as the non-EA side to contrast with the right trapezius as the EA side, and using stainless needles of 50 mm length and 0.18 mm gauge. MBF data were surveyed for 2 minutes before EA, for 4 minutes during EA, and for 4 minutes after EA, and a total of10minutes were analyzed l(?). Blood pressure and heart rate were simultaneously measured. <b>[Results]</b> MBF on the EA side increased significantly during EA (p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were shown to decrease during EA (p < 0.05). <b>[Discussion]</b> These results, showing that MBF increased on the EA side, while diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased, suggest a regional muscle pump action with EA. <b>[Conclusion]</b> In evaluating a new, direct means of quantitatively examining <sub>99m</sub>Tc0<sub>4-</sub> clearance, an increase in MBF with right side EA stimulation was clearly shown. Because the present method is simpler and easier, and higher in accuracy than past methods, we believe it may be used more aggressively in future clinical studies of acupuncture/moxibustion.
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<B>[Purpose]</B> We know of no reports on the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation, on human skeletal muscle blood flow (MBF), examined quantitatively with a direct method. Therefore, we investigated changes in MBF before, during and after EA with a new clearance method. <B>[Methods]</B> Ten healthy adult volunteers (8 men and 2 women; median age 30.5 years) were given EA to the trapezius at the BL 10 and GB 21 acupoints, employing the left trapezius as the non-EA side to contrast with the right trapezius as the EA side, and using stainless needles of 50 mm length and 0.18 mm gauge. MBF data were surveyed for 2 minutes before EA, for 4 minutes during EA, and for 4 minutes after EA, and a total of10minutes were analyzed l(?). Blood pressure and heart rate were simultaneously measured. <B>[Results]</B> MBF on the EA side increased significantly during EA (p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were shown to decrease during EA (p < 0.05). <B>[Discussion]</B> These results, showing that MBF increased on the EA side, while diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased, suggest a regional muscle pump action with EA. <B>[Conclusion]</B> In evaluating a new, direct means of quantitatively examining <SUB>99m</SUB>Tc0<SUB>4-</SUB> clearance, an increase in MBF with right side EA stimulation was clearly shown. Because the present method is simpler and easier, and higher in accuracy than past methods, we believe it may be used more aggressively in future clinical studies of acupuncture/moxibustion.
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[Objective]We researched the effect on three acupuncture stimulation groups and a non-stimulation group used for arterial compliance. <BR>[Methods]This study was conducted on 70 healthy volunteers divided randomly into four groups. We observed the effects of arterial compliance by measuring the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity score (baPWVs), ankle brachial pressure index (ABI), Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) using form PWV/ABI®. Acupuncture stimulation groups were divided into LI10 (Shousanli, Te no Sanri n = 23) group, ST36 (Zusanli, Ashi no Sanri n = 18) group, and CV12 (Zhongwan, Chukan n = 19) groups.<BR>[Results]We found that baPWVs significantly decreased in both the LI10 (before 1222 ± 203cm/s vs after 986 ± 143cm/s) and ST36 (before 1245 ± 126 cm/s vs after 1014 ± 120 cm/s) groups (p < 0.05), but not significantly in the CV12 group (before 1264 ± 222 cm/s vs 1287 ± 226 cm/s) and non-stimulation groups (before 1228 ± 144 cm/s vs after 1222 ± 150 cm/s). ABI, SBP, DBP and HR were not significant in the all groups. <BR>[Conclusion]These results suggest that upper and lower extremities or the abdomen in acupuncture stimulation may influence the activity of arterial compliance.
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Recently, functional MRI has been used to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture and the specificity of acupoint. The group data tend to be regarded as more important than the individual data in the most of previous studies. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the variability of individual data on the group results. A functional MRI (fMRI) of the whole brain was performed in fifteen healthy subjects during placebo and acupuncture stimulations at the ST36 acupoint. After remaining at rest for 30 seconds, the acupuncture was inserted and twisted at the rate of 2 Hz for 45 seconds and then the acupuncture was removed immediately. This process was repeated three times. Individual and group analyses were performed by voxel-based analyses using SPM2 software. Visual inspections of the activation and deactivation maps from individual sessions have shown the large variability across fifteen subjects. This means that the group data reflected the brain activation responses of only a few subjects. We suggest that the individual data should be presented to demonstrate the effect of acupuncture.
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Acupuncture , Acupuncture Points , Brain , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
[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.
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[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.
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Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is characterized by a sensation of discomfort that usually develops 24-48 hours after unaccustomed exercise, with muscle swelling and stiffness that usually results in a reduced range of movement. Muscle weakness is often seen. It may be surmised that DOMS is a problem that affects all athletes.<BR>We examined six male subjects to determine the effect of acupuncture stimulation on DOMS, which was induced experimentally in both legs using a heel raising exercise. Acupuncture stimulation has long been used in the treatment of pain, but there is insufficient proof of its efficacy. A problem acupuncture research has had to face is the concept of a control group. To deal with this, we used non-invasive acupuncture stimulation, which would allow the simulation of the acupuncture procedure without penetrating the skin. The leg that would receive actual acupuncture stimulation and the leg that would receive non-invasive stimulation after the induction of DOMS were determined by randomization.<BR>The muscle stiffness, ankle range of movement, maximal voluntary contraction, one-legged vertical jump, muscle tenderness, pain on muscle stretching, pain on muscle contraction, ankle mobility and subjective muscle strain were measured as indices of stimulation efficacy. Pain on muscle stretching was significantly less (p<0.05) at 48 hours after exercise for the side stimulated by acupuncture as compared with the side stimulated non-invasively. The other indices did not differ significantly between the side stimulated using acupuncture stimulation and the side stimulated non invasively. These results suggest that the early relief of DOMS can be achieved by acupuncture stimulation.
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To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation (EAS) on insulin sensitivity in rats, we performed several stimulations on Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, during euglycemic clamp. We divided OLETF rats into five groups according to the kind of the stimulation: EAS at vagal innervated region of the auricle (AVA), EAS at non-vagal innervated region of the auricle (ANVA), EAS on the back of the body (AB), pinching on the back of the body (PB), and no stimulation on the body (NS). These procedures were also applied on Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats as a control study.<br>Furthermore, we performed long-term stimulation (from six to 24 weeks of age) on OLETF rats to assess the preventive effect of those stimulations on the formation of the insulin resistance. EAS of pulse duration 300ms, 1.5V, 1Hz was applied for 10 or 15minutes. As a result, the glucose infusion rate (GIR) showed significantly higher levels during stimulation of PB group in LETO rats. On the other hand, the GIR of AVA group in LETO rats and PB group in OLETF rats were decreased by stimulation. The GIR in AVA group and AB group after long-term stimulation were significantly higher than those of NS group in OLETF rats. These results suggested that EAS at the auricle and the back is useful for the prevention of the formation of insulin resistance when it's applied before onset of the symptoms in OLETF rats.
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Nausea, retching and vomiting are among the most common postoperative complaints after general anesthesia. Some effective drugs and approaches were sought to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting, but none of them abolished those complaints completely and without side-effects. We studied postoperative antiemetic effect of electric acupuncture stimulaton (EAS) on PC6 point (Neiguan, on the pericardium meridian) and PC7 point (Daling, on the pericardium meridian) before induction of anesthesia. One hundred patients (ASA I-II) scheduled for transabdominal hysterectomy were randomly selected, premedicated with glycopyrrolate, and divided into two group, the EAS-treated group (experimental group, 50 patients) and the non EAS-treated group (control group, 50 patients). For the EAS-treated group, electrical stimulation of 3Hz was applied for 15 minutes just 45 minutes prior to the induction and as for the non EAS-treated group, no EAS was applied and the incidence of nausea, retching and vomiting were blindly checked every three hours after operation for 12 hours. The incidence of postoperative nausea, retching and vomiting in EAS-treated group 3 hours after operation was 24% as compared to the non EAS-treated group, 54%(p<0.001). Between 3 hours and 6 hours after operation, it was 12% in EAS-treated group and 52% in non EAS-treated group(p<0.001), between 6 hours and 9 hours after operation, it was 26% in EAS-treated group and 64% in non EAS-treated group(p<0.001), and during 9 to 12 hours after operation, it was 28% in EAS-treated group and 60% in non EAS-treated group(p<0.001). For 12 hours after operation, the incidence of postoperative nausea, retching and vomiting in EAS group was significantly lower compared to the non-EAS group, 30% and 68%(p<0.001), respectively. Although definite mechanism is not known, it can be concluded that EAS of PC 6 and PC 7 antiemetic point is very effective in preventing postoperative nausea, retching and vomiting.
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Humans , Acupuncture , Anesthesia , Anesthesia, General , Antiemetics , Electric Stimulation , Glycopyrrolate , Hysterectomy , Incidence , Nausea , Pericardium , Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting , VomitingABSTRACT
The effects of electro acupuncture on autonomic nerve functions associated with the pupil were examined by measuring the diameter of the iris (D1), the maximum rate of iris constriction (VC) and the maximum rate of iris dilation (VD) before, during and after electro acupuncture.<br>An iris recorder which can be used even in the supine position was used for measuring three parameters.<br>As a result, the change with the above stimulation was reflected in a diminution of D1, presumably influencing parasympathetic nerve. Besides, VC and VD tended to increase with light reflex, presumably improving pupillary reactivity.