Changes in skin impedance and heart rate variability with application of Acu-TENS to BL13 (Feishu)

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
P.C. Ngai, Shirley
Y.M. Jones, Alice
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)

Kim A. Jobst, MA, DM, MRCP, MFHom, DipAc

Date
2013
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the change of skin impedance of acupoints along the Lung meridian in response to transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation over an acupoint (Acu-TENS) over BL13 (Feishu). Design: This was a double-blinded, randomized, controlled crossover study. Settings/location: The study was conducted in a laboratory. Subjects: Eighteen (18) healthy individuals comprised the study subjects. Interventions: The intervention was a session of 45-minute Acu-TENS (application of TENS on BL13, Feishu) or placebo-TENS (similar to Acu-TENS but without electrical output). Outcome measures: Skin impedance at 10 acupoints on the Lung meridian was recorded before and after the 45- minute intervention period. Heart rate variability during the intervention was analyzed from continuous heart rate monitoring. Results: Skin impedance at all acupoints along the lung meridian decreased signi?cantly after Acu-TENS, when compared to placebo-TENS (p<0.05). A signi?cant reduction in sympathetic activity was also observed after Acu-TENS (p=0.012). Conclusions: Acu-TENS appears to modify skin impedance of acupoints along a related meridian and possibly modulates sympathovagal balance.

Journal Title

Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

19

Issue

6

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
DOI
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Physiotherapy

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections