RESUMO
Purpose<br>In the 31st and 32nd conference of the J. S. A., we reported that stimulation of an electrodermal point (i. e. the lung point) in the cavity of the concha depressed appetite and affected the metabolism of water. Since there are, however, so many electrodermal points, the question arises as to whether stimulation to any other electrodermal point has the same effect as this lung point. The purpose of this study is to clarify this question.<br>Method<br>Forty-two cases (men and women aged 18 to 50) of simple obesity (over+10% of standard body weight) were randomly divided into two groups: the group of the Cardia point stimulation (L-group), and the group of the cardia point stimulation (c-group). An intracutaneous (subcutaneous) needle was inserted in the point and kept there for two weeks, renewed once a week. The effects on depressing appetite and the metabolism of water were analysed as follows: The questionnaires for changes of the food intake, the feeling of hunger, the feeling of plenitude, the water intake, and the urinary output were given to the subjects, and they rated their responses into 4-6 grades according to our criteria. The body weight, serum osmotic pressure, and the concentration of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was measured before and after the stimulation.<br>Result<br>The following changes were seen in both L- and C-group: the food intake decreased; the feeling of hunger decreased; the feeling of plenitude increased; the water intake decreased. The body weight decreased 0.8±0.1kg for L-group and 1.2±0.3kg for C-group. There was no significant intergroup difference. The urinary output showed a tendency to increase in L-group (p<0.10).<br>The serum osmotic pressure and ADH decreased significantly in L-group (p<0.02, p<0.02), while there was no significant change in C-group. However, there was no significant intergroup difference.<br>Conclusion<br>Stimulation applied to the lung point or the cardia point, which are electrodermal points in the cavity of the concha, was equally effective in depressing appetite and caused the same amount of weight loss. Stimulation to the lung point caused the decrease of the serum osmotic pressure and ADH, and the upward tendency of the urinary outout, while stimulation to the cardia point showed no significant change.<br>On the basis of this result, it is reasonable to presume that there is some difference between the lung point and the cardia point in affecting the metabolism of water, and that these two electrodermal points have different meanings.
RESUMO
<b>Purpose</b><br>It was the purpose that if the auricular dermal points would be a cure for obesity.<br>Method<br>Subjects were 60 patients from 18 to 45 years old getting simple obestiy in the obesity index over 120% and were divided randomly into the lung area dermal points test group and the extra-lung area test group (1.5mm above the lung dermal points). In the auricular dermal points, subcutaneous needles were applied to both groups. The needles were changed every week and the therapy was continued 4 weeks. By the following method, the effect of acupuncture upon their appetite and electrolyte metabolism were analyzed. A questionaire containing 4 matters points of discussion was given to them to complete such as amount of diet and drink, the sense of hunger and satiety. Before and after therapy, they were examined variations of the following 7 matters points; weight, blood suger in hunger, free fatty acid, insulin, osmetic pressure, serum natrium and serum kalium.<br><b>Effect</b><br>The dermal points test group showed significantly decrease in amount of diet (p<0.01), drink (p<0.01) and in the sense of hunger (p<0.05) and increase in satiety (p<0.01). In both groups their weight decreased significantly, especially in the dermal points test group, but there were significant differences in weight between the two (p<0.05). In the 2, 3, 4 week after therapy, the dermal points test group showed significant decrease in insulin (p<0.025, p<0.025, p<0.05), on the other hand, the other did not show any significant difference. On the variation of blood suger, there was almost no difference between the two. The dermal points test group showed significant decrease in osmetic pressure and serum natrium (p<0.005, p<0.05) from the first week after therapy and it held still the fourth week (p<0.005, p<0.05), whereas the other showed no significant difference. Osmetic pressure had a significant difference in both groups (p<0.05).<br><b>Conclusion</b><br>It was concluded that the lung area dermal points were a cure for obesity and, being given stimulus to these points, appetite was strained and weight was decreased. It is also considered that it gives a good effect upon saccarometabolism and electrolyte metabolism.
