Analysis of functional status of Meridians in different types of TCM constitution

Abstract

Objectives: Analyze the difference of functional status of Meridians in Moderate, Qi-Deficiency and Yang-Deficiency constitution people by using Computer Aided Functional Scanning System. Methods: Use TCM Constitution Scale to select participants who are in Moderate, Qi-Deficiency or Yang-Deficiency constitution. Use the Computer Aided Functional Scanning System to scan the participants and analyze their meridian scanning results. Results: 1) There are significant differences (P<;0.05) in 12 pairs of the meridians of the three constitutions except Right Liver, Right Small Intestine, two sides of Bladder, two sides of Sanjiao and Left Stomach Meridians. Both of Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency show the function insufficiency, with Yang deficiency more obviously. Taking the Right Lung Meridian as an example, the function mean of Yang deficiency constitution group was -23.67±26.72, Qi deficiency's was -15.96±30.40, the Moderate's was -7.97±28.07. 2) The results of the pairwise comparison show the significant differences(P <;0.05) between Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency groups for two sides of Spleen Meridians, Heart Meridians, Kidney Meridians, Pericardium Meridians, Liver Meridians, Bladder Meridians and Right Small Intestine Meridians. 3) There are significant differences (P <;0.05) for the comparison between Yang deficiency and Moderate groups in all meridians except Right Liver Meridian, Right small intestine Meridian, two sides of Bladder Meridians and Left Sanjiao Meridian. Conclusions: People with different constitution have different meridian features. The Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency groups show functional insufficiency. The descending tendency is as follows: Yang deficiency >; Qi deficiency >; Moderate. The consequence gave the evidence of one of the Traditional Chinese Medical theory: Qi deficiency is the initial phase of Yang deficiency, Yang deficiency is the final phase of Qi deficiency.