The use of time-domain analysis on the choice of measurement location for pulse diagnosis research: A pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundPulse diagnosis researches acquiring pulse waves from the wrist radial artery has not yet addressed the issue of whether this information is affected by differences in the hemodynamic characteristics of pressure waves derived from different locations. This study aimed to clarify whether the blood dynamic states are identical with regard to the “three positions and nine indicators” (三部九候) listed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA total of 37 participants of CAD group and 20 participants of healthy group were recruited, and pressure pulse waves were measured at 18 locations on both hands. A multivariate analysis (MANOVA) was performed with a “randomized block design” using SPSS 22.0 and R 3.4.1 to examine the time-domain parameters that represented certain hemodynamic characteristics. ResultsIn CAD group, the results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the h1, h2, h3, h1/t, and h3/h1 measurements of the pulse waves using different indicators at the same position; the h1, h2, h3, and h1/t measurements of the pulse waves at different positions using the indicator “Superficial”; and the h1, h2, h3, h1/t, and h3/h1 measurements of the pulse waves at different positions using the indicator “Medium”. In healthy group, the results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the h1, h2, h3, and h1/t measurements of the pulse waves using different indicators at the same position; the h1, h2, and h1/t measurements of the pulse waves at different positions using the same indicator. ConclusionBecause of the differences in the hemodynamic characteristics among the different positions and indicators, the article might provide a new opinion for future pulse diagnosis investigations to carefully consider the measurement location to ensure the completeness of the information.