ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics of the temperature-time curve in warm needling manipulation with the acupuncture needles made of copper, silver, gold and stainless steel and explore the applicable temperature range and most suitable needle materials of warm needling manipulation in clinical practice.@*METHODS@#A total of 10 healthy subjects were included. Using the digital thermometer, with different moxibustion dose (1.2 g or 1.5 g, moxa), the temperature was measured at the site where the skin contacts with the needle body during the warm needling manipulation with stainless steel needle, copper needle, gold needle and sliver needle separately. The initial heat pain threshold (the temperature when hot feeling started) and the burning pain threshold (feeling very hot but tolerable) were recorded when using the different needles mentioned above. Through the subject questionnaire, the comfort degree, the heat sensation, the adverse reaction and the acceptability to warm needling manipulation with the different needles were investigated.@*RESULTS@#During the warm needling manipulation, the initial heat pain threshold was (42.8±2.7) ℃ and the burning pain threshold was (46.7±2.9) ℃. The strongest warm stimulation was presented in the warm needling manipulation with 1.5 g moxa and silver needle and the highest temperature was (55.5±6.3) ℃, followed by (52.9±4.2) ℃ with 1.2 g moxa and silver needle, (46.6±3.7) ℃ with 1.5 g moxa and gold needle, (46.6±1.9) ℃ with 1.5 g moxa and copper needle, (43.1±1.5) ℃ with 1.2 g moxa and copper needle and (41.7±0.9) ℃ with 1.5 g moxa and stainless steel needle. The sequence of the maintaining time of the initial heat pain threshold over 43℃ was 480 s with silver needle and 1.5 moxa, 325 s with silver needle and 1.2 g moxa, 270 s with gold needle and 1.5 g moxa, 185 s with copper needle and 1.5 g moxa, 42 s with copper needle and 1.2 g moxa and 0 s with stainless steel needle and 1.5 g moxa successively. The heat score graded by the subjects to the warm needling manipulation with different needles, from high to low, was presented in the manipulation with 1.5 g moxa and silver needle, 1.2 g moxa and silver needle, 1.5 g moxa and copper needle, 1.5 g moxa and gold needle, 1.2 g moxa and copper needle and 1.5 g moxa and stainless steel needle. The VAS score was different significantly in comparison among the six needles in warm needling manipulation (<0.001). The comfort degree of the subjects in the warm needling manipulation with silver needle and 1.5 g moxa was significantly lower than the warm needling manipulation with the other 5 materials (<0.05). Three subjects complained that the warm needling manipulation with silver needle and 1.5 g moxa was too hot to be tolerable and the most of subjects were willing to accept warm needling manipulation with these 6 materials (acceptability 70.0% to 100.0%). Except blisters presented in 9 subjects after warm needling manipulation with silver needle and 1.5 g moxa, no severe adverse reaction occurred in warm needling manipulation with 6 materials.@*CONCLUSION@#In the warm needling manipulation in the human body, the initial heat pain and the burning pain threshold were 43 ℃ and 47 ℃ respectively, which is the applicable temperature range of moxibustion in clinical practice. The warm needling manipulation with silver needle induces a quite strong heat stimulation and the discomfort may be caused when the temperature is exceeded to some threshold. The warm needling manipulation with copper needle generates the onset temperature, without inducing adverse reactions, e.g. discomfort and burning in the subjects.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Hot Temperature , Needles , Pain Threshold , TemperatureABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture on the sleeping quality of male Wistar rats with stress induced gastric mucosal injury from the viewpoint of the brain-intestine axis. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomized into normal control, model, ST36-CV12, BL62-KI6, and combined groups, with 8 rats in each group. The model was established by using intragastric perfusion of ethanol in the rats. Acupoints of Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12) on both sides were used for the ST36-CV12 group. Acupoints of Shenmai (BL62) and Zhaohai (KI6) on both sides were used for the BL62-KI6 group. All four acupoints were used for the combined group. 0.22 mm × 13 mm stainless steel filiform needles were inserted 5-10 mm deep, and were left untouched for 20 minutes before withdrawal. The acupoints were stimulated each day for five days and the paw withdraw thermal latency (PWTL) was detected after the last stimulation. 2%pentobarbital sodium was then injected (40 mg/kg), and sleeping time of rats was detected. Gastric mucosa was observed through naked eyes. Gastric mucosal ulcer Index was determined by using the Guth method. 5-HT and DA contents were detected by using HPLC-ECD method. Results Compared with the normal control group, PWTL and sleeping time decreased (P<0.01), and UI, 5-HT, and DA content increased in model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, PTWL and sleeping time increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and UI decreased in all treatment groups (P<0.01). 5-HT content in ST36-CV12 and combined groups decreased significantly, and DA content in ST36-CV12 group dropped (P<0.01). Compared with other treatment groups, PWTL and sleeping time increased significantly (P<0.01), and UI decreased obviously in combined group (P<0.01). Conclusion Stimulating acupoints of Zusanli, Zhongwan, Shenmai, and Zhaohai (KI6) may promote the recovery of gastric mucosal injury while at the same time increase sleeping time, with four acupoints used in combination having the best efficacy. The mechanism may be related to adjusting contents of 5-HT and DA in corpus striatum.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Females generally have a lower pain and temporal summation threshold than men. However, the results of studies designed to evaluate gender differences in the thresholds of heat pain and the temporal summation have been inconsistent. Newly developed device, CHEPS (Contact Heat Evoked Potential Stimulation) model of PATHWAY, have superiority on its fast rise and return time in temperature. Therefore we investigated gender differences in heat pain and temporal summation threshold. METHODS: Forty healthy volunteers (20 males and 20 females) were enrolled in this study. A thermode was applied to the volar side of each volunteer's left forearm and heat pain and the temporal summation threshold was then measured. The heat pain threshold was estimated using the staircase method by starting from 36degrees C and then increasing the temperature in 0.5degrees C increments. The temporal summation threshold was estimated by applying five successive stimulation of the same temperature starting at 2degrees C lower than the heat pain threshold and then increasing the temperature in 0.5degrees C increments. RESULTS: The mean heat pain thresholds was found to be 41.63 +/- 1.63degrees C for males and 41.60 +/- 1.84degrees C for females and the temporal summation thresholds were found to be 40.83 +/- 1.64degrees C for males and 40.77 +/- 1.93degrees C for females. The differences between males and females were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study suggested that there are no gender differences in heat pain and temporal summation threshold.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Evoked Potentials , Forearm , Hot Temperature , Pain ThresholdABSTRACT
Objective To determine if TENS applicati on for 60 min twice daily, over a short period of time(3-day), could have cumula tive analgesic effects on another type of pain induced by heat. Methods Nineteen elder normal subjects, aged 60 to 85, were randomly allocated into a TENS and a placebo group. Sixty minutes of TENS (200ms in pu lses at 100Hz with 2 ～ 3 times sensory threshold intensity) or placebo stimulat ion was applied to four acupoints around the knee joint twice daily over a 3-da y period (=6 sessions in total). Heat pain threshold was measured using the Med oc TSA-2001 device before, during and after TENS or placebo stimulation to each subject. The results obtained were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results By the end of 6 treatment sessions, there was a significant increase in the pre-stimulation heat pain threshold, from 46.9℃ i n session 1 to 48.6℃ in session 6, or by 1.7℃ in the TENS group. Conclusion The existence of such a cumulative antinociceptive eff ect, as denoted by a significant rise in the heat pain threshold before TENS in session 1 when compared with that in session 6, suggested possible plastic chang es in the nervous system in the TENS group.