Different patterns of dynamic variations on electrical conductances of acupoints between Qi Vacuity and Qi non-Vacuity after glucose ingestion.

OBJECTIVES: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi maintains the physiologic function and indicates physiologic energy. Glucose provides energy to humans, thereby playing a role analogous to "nutritive Qi." This study aims to identify the correlations among blood glucose, Qi Vacuity (QV), and the electrical conductances of acupoints. METHODS: Twenty (20) subjects who had ingested a glucose solution after a 10-hour overnight fast were divided into two groups based on QV score. Then their acupoint conductances were measured sequentially using a Ryodoraku instrument during the following 120 minutes. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations as a time-series model. RESULTS: Eight (8) subjects were categorized into a Qi Vacuous group for QV score >6, and the other 12 subjects were categorized into a Qi non-Vacuous group for QV score ≤6. During the first 30 minutes, the acupoint conductances decreased on the left Pericardium, left Heart, right Liver, Kidney, and Gallbladder meridians in the Qi Vacuous group, and increased on the right Pericardium meridian and decreased on the right Gallbladder meridian in the Qi non-Vacuous group. From 30 to 60 and 60 to 90 minutes, the acupoint conductances decreased on the Gallbladder, Heart, left Pericardium, left Kidney, right Liver, and right Stomach meridians in the Qi Vacuous group, and increased on the Pericardium, Heart, left Small Intestine, and left Lung meridians in the Qi non-Vacuous group. During the last 30 minutes, more of the acupoint conductances were increased in the Qi non-Vacuous group, whereas only the acupoint conductance on the liver meridian was increased and that on the left gallbladder meridian was decreased in the Qi Vacuous group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the energy distribution and transformation in meridian vessels present different patterns in QV and non-QV groups after glucose consumption.

Effect of long-term music therapy intervention on autonomic function in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients.

Anthracyclines are potent antineoplastic agents associated with cardiotoxicity, which may lead to congestive heart failure, causing impairment of autonomic cardiovascular function as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). This decreases survival rates. This study aimed to determine whether music therapy intervention improves autonomic function in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients, and if so, whether such improvements persist after cessation of the intervention. Participants were 12 women with breast cancer who had undergone mastectomy or breast-conserving treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy; they attended 8 weekly music therapy sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Electrocardiogram traces (5 minutes) for HRV analysis were recorded 4 times: prior to the first music session, T1; after the fourth music session, T2; after the eighth music session, T3; and 4 weeks after the completion of music therapy, T4. HRV parameters were subjected to a nonparametric Friedman test on the differences between T1 and T2, T3, and T4. The standard deviation of normal intervals and the total power of HRV parameters, related to global autonomic function, were significantly higher at T3 than at T1. The root-mean-square differences of successive normal R-R intervals and high-frequency (HF) HRV parameters, related to parasympathetic activity, were significantly increased, but no change was seen in the LF/HF ratio of HRV parameters (which is related to sympathetic activity) during the music therapy. Global autonomic function and parasympathetic activity had not changed significantly at T4 relative to T1. The authors provide preliminary evidence of the benefits of music therapy for anthracycline-treated breast cancer survivors.

Effects of music therapy on subjective sensations and heart rate variability in treated cancer survivors: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Data on the effects of music therapy on subjective sensations and the physiological parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) in treated cancer survivors are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not music therapy affects the sensations of fatigue, comfort, and relaxation in cancer survivors, and affects the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems as indicated by HRV parameters. METHODS: Twenty-three patients aged 30-67 years and with cancer that had been treated at least 6 months previously received music therapy for about 2h, which included singing, listening to music, learning the recorder, and performing music. Subjective sensations and electrocardiogram were recorded before and after the music therapy. The low-frequency and high-frequency components of HRV were assessed by the frequency analysis of sequential R wave to R wave intervals of electrocardiogram obtained from 5-min recordings. Subjective sensations were quantitatively assessed using a visual analog mood scale. RESULTS: Two hours of music therapy significantly increased relaxation sensations and significantly decreased fatigue sensation in treated cancer survivors. Moreover, the HRV parameters showed that parasympathetic nervous system activity increased and sympathetic nervous system activity decreased. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that music therapy may be clinically useful for promoting relaxation sensation and increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity in treated cancer survivors.