Can the electrical potential of acupoints be used to assess the functional state of meridians and the effects of therapeutics? An exploratory data analysis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Luís Carlos Matos (Author) FEUP; Lara Teixeira Lopes (Author) Other; Virginie Abreu Freire (Author) Other; Jorge Pereira Machado (Author) Other; Fernando Mendes Monteiro (Author) FEUP; Henry Johannes Greten (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

Vol. 26

Pages: 309-317

ISSN: 1360-8592

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-84B

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.038

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Acupoints have bioelectrical properties distinct from common skin. Besides the higher electrical conductivity and lower resistance, acupoints show capacitor-like properties, which can be related to their endogenous electrical potential. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) postulates that meridians are physiological structures connecting acupoints and working as a conduit for the flow of two essential substances known as qi and xue. Objectives: This pilot study was focused in evaluating whether the electrical potential of acupoints can be correlated objectively to the functional properties as described by ancient Chinese medical theories, such as the theories of coupled meridians of the same phase ('elements'), and the principle of coupled points. Methods: Direct needle moxibustion on LU5 and needle dispulsion of LI4 were performed in 21 subjects. The electrical potential of each acupoint was measured with a high-resolution data acquisition system taking to reference the acupoint SP6 of the Spleen conduit. Results: The results may indicate a functional relationship between the therapeutics and the electrical potential response on the selected acupoints. These effects seem to be explainable considering the specific properties of each acupoint, the relationship between TCM phases, and the dynamics between coupled conduits. Conclusion: The evaluation of the endogenous electrical potential of acupoints and the changes caused by an external stimulus might contribute to the understanding of TCM concepts, mechanisms, and the effects of associated therapeutics. The observed phenomena encourage the systematic assessment of the functional vegetative status via skin electrophysiology and using objective measurements.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9