Convergence of Acupoint and Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Blood Flow and Pain Threshold

Abstract

This study examined how the application of silver spike point (SSP) and acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (A-TENS) on acupoints affects blood flow and pain threshold, using laser Doppler blood fluxes and the Commander algometer. Our study included 32 healthy men and women who were randomly divided into the SSP group (n=18) and the A-TENS group (n=14). The pain threshold and blood flow were measured at the Neiguan (PC6) of the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian of the hand. SSP was performed with a 2.8cm electrode at a fixed frequency of 3 Hz for 15 minutes. The change in blood flow and pain threshold after the intervention significantly differed between the two groups (p<0.05). We found that the application of SSP and A-TENS on an acupoint altered their blood flow and pressure pain threshold, with SSP resulting in significantly greater change than A-TENS. Based on these results, the convergence of acupoint and electrical stimulation therapy can be usefully applied as a method for various patients. Continued development of convergence interventions is necessary.