ABSTRACT
In engineering, when the degrce of distortion of the waveform of the signal is expressed numerically, a coefficient called a distortion factor is used. In order to determine whether or not itis possible to quantify the difference in pulse waveforms in terms of a distortion factor, the authors carried out a Fourier analysis of the pulse waves of 74 cases (74 males between 20 and 40 years of age), calculating the distortion factor of these pulse waves. Employing the pulse wave scale devised by Zhaofu Fei et al, the Ping mai, Hua mai and Xuan mai were differentiated by means of the amplitude ratio of the dicrotic notch to the ejection wave. As a result of a comparison between the distortion factors of these three groups, the authors were successful in quantifying the differences between the wave forms in terms of a distortion factor.