The Effects of Acupuncture on Radial Pulse in Healthy Human Subjects: A Comparative Study on Tonifications of Kidney and Urinary Bladder

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Sa-am acupuncture with tonifications of kidney and urinary bladder on radial pulse in healthy subjects. Methods : Sixty healthy subjects participated in this study, and were divided into a kidney tonifying acupuncture group(KI group), urinary bladder tonifying acupuncture group(BL group) and control group. Radial pulse was measured by 3 dimensional pulse imaging system(DMP-3000) before, immediately after, 30 minutes after, and 60 minutes after acupuncture at Cun, Guan, and Chi in each time. Results : 1. BL group exhibited significantly reduced T1 / T, T4 / T, T4 / (T-T4), T5 / T and increased(T-T4) / T compared to KI group. 2. BL group showed increase of radial augmentation index / heart rate(RAI / HR) in left Cun, H5, Ad / Ap in left Chi, H1, As / Ap in right Chi compared to KI group. BL group showed decrease of As / Ap, Aw / Ap in left Chi, H1, pulse depth, Ad / Ap in right Chi compared to KI group. 3. KI group showed increase of Aw / Ap, H1, H2, H4, pulse area in right Guan, pulse depth in right Chi compared to BL group. KI group showed decrease of RAI in left Cun, applied pressure, pulse depth in left Guan, Aw / Ap in right Chi compared to BL group. Conclusions : The effects of Sa-am acupuncture with tonifications of kidney and urinary bladder in healthy humans have been observed on various parameters. The parameters analysed in this study can be used to differentiate the effects of Sa-am acupuncture with tonifications of kidney and urinary bladder on radial pulse.