Pilot Study of Blood Perfusion Changes at PC4 and Its Surrounding Points Induced by Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

Shuyong Jia,Xiaojing Song,Qizhen Wang,Weibo Zhang,Guangjun Wang,Shuyong Wang,Hongyan Li

doi:10.1155/2021/2431570

Abstract

Acupuncture and moxibustion are widely used in clinical practice; however, the differences between their mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, the response of blood perfusion resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion at Ximen (PC4) and its surrounding points was explored. Using the wavelet method, the differences in the frequency interval of blood flux were observed. Furthermore, the correlations between these points were analyzed. The results suggested that moxibustion could significantly improve blood flow perfusion at PC4 compared to acupuncture; however, there was no significant difference around PC4. The response of blood flux at PC4 to different stimulations was related to the frequency V (0.4–1.6 Hz) component. However, a difference in response at other points was not observed. Correlation analysis showed that both acupuncture and moxibustion could cause a decline in the correlation of blood flux signals at these recorded points, but there was no significant difference between these techniques. The results suggested that, at least in the forearm, the acupuncture or moxibustion only influenced the level of blood perfusion locally.

Highlights

Acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice since 2500 years
E current pilot study showed that there was a difference in the response of blood perfusion at PC4 after acupuncture or moxibustion stimulation
This is the first study to compare the vascular response at PC4 and its surrounding points after stimulation by correlation and wavelet analysis

Summary

Introduction

Acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice since 2500 years. Acupuncture is performed with needles that are manipulated by the hands, while moxibustion produces thermal stimulation effects by burning moxa. Acupuncture and moxibustion are different in clinical practice, they are believed to have similar clinical outcomes. A recent study has indicated that moxibustion and electroacupuncture have different effects on special-type irritable bowel syndrome [1, 2]. Further studies have shown that electroacupuncture and moxibustion have different effects on the network within the brain [3]. Significant basic research supports that electroacupuncture and moxibustion have different effects [4]. Since the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion are different, different responses can be obtained at the regional acupoint

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