Heart rate variability (HRV) is the variation in time between each heartbeat. Increasing HRV may contribute to improving autonomic nervous system dysfunctions. Acupuncture stimulation through the vagus plexus in the ear is considered as a method that can improve HRV. In this pilot study, we examined 114 healthy volunteers at the Faculty of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, from January to May 2020. During a 20-minute interval, participants were stimulated two times at the acupoint in the left ear with Semen seed. The heart rate and HRV values were monitored before, during, and after acupressure every 5 minutes. When we compared the experimental group with the control group, HRV significantly increased in the stage of ear-stimulated acupressure compared with the stage before and after the auricular acupressure ( p = 0.01 , p = 0.04 , p = 0.04 and p = 0.02 ) and the difference was not statistically significant compared with the phase of nonstimulated ( p = 0.15 , p = 0.28 ). The changes in other values including SDNN (standard deviation of the average NN), RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR interval differences), LF (low-frequency power), and HF (high-frequency power) in all stages were not statistically significant p = > 0.05 between groups. Based on the results, we can determine the increase in HRV when conducting auricular acupressure with stimulation at the heart acupoint on the left ear. This leads to a direction in further studies for clinical application for patients with autonomic nervous disorder.
Objective. This pilot study was conducted to investigate changes in the pulse rate and blood pressure in healthy volunteers after applying auricular acupressure at the “heart acupoint.” Methods. A total of 120 healthy volunteers with hemodynamic indexes within normal limits were randomly allocated into 4 groups to receive auricular acupressure treatment either at the heart acupoint of the left or the right, or in both ears, and one control group without applying auricular acupressure. Results. Before the application of auricular acupressure, there were no statistical differences in pulse rate and blood pressure increments among the four groups during the first cold pressor test. In groups in which auricular pressure was applied, the pulse rate was significantly reduced after the application of auricular acupressure in three groups; however, no statistically significant difference was detected among the groups. Changes in blood pressure were not statistically significant in or among the different groups after applying auricular acupressure. The average recorded pulse rate values during the second cold pressor test (after auricular acupressure) were significantly lower compared to the corresponding values taken during the first cold pressor test (before auricular acupressure) ( p < 0.05); however, pulse rate increments during the two cold pressor tests (with and without auricular acupressure) were similar ( p > 0.05). Conclusions. These findings suggest that auricular acupressure could be used as an adjunctive nonpharmacological method for reducing the pulse rate.
IntroductionThis research is a pilot, single-blinded study investigating heart rate variability (HRV) during auricular acupressure at the left sympathetic point (AH7) in healthy volunteers.MethodsThere were 120 healthy volunteers with hemodynamic indexes (heart rate, blood pressure) within normal ranges, randomly divided into two groups AG and SG (in each group having a gender ratio 1:1, aged 20−29), to receive either auricular acupressure using ear seed (AG) or sham method using adhesive patches without seed (SG) at the left sympathetic point while lying in a supine position. Acupressure intervention lasted 25 min, and HRV was recorded by a photoplethysmography device–namely, Kyto HRM-2511B and Elite appliance.ResultsAuricular acupressure at the left Sympathetic point (AG) led to a significant reduction in heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05) and a considerable increase in HRV parameters demonstrated by HF (High-frequency power) (p < 0.05), compared to sham auricular acupressure (SG). However, no significant changes in LF (Low-frequency power) and RR (Respiratory rate) (p > 0.05) were observed in both groups during the process.ConclusionThese findings suggest that auricular acupressure at the left sympathetic point may activate the parasympathetic nervous system while a healthy person is lying relaxed.
Background and Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) represents one of the major causes of increasing disability worldwide. Electroacupuncture with different frequencies at the Hua Tuo Jia Ji acupoints has been used to treat CLBP in patients with lumbar osteoarthritis. Basic studies demonstrate that 100 Hz or 2 Hz electroacupuncture has pain-relief effects on CLBP; however clinical evidence for choosing which frequency is still limited. Thus, our study aims to compare the effects of 100 Hz to 2 Hz electroacupuncture for CLBP on patients with lumbar osteoarthritis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial of 124 patients with lumbar osteoarthritis at the Traditional Medicine Hospital at Ho Chi Minh City from September 2018 to July 2019. Patients were randomly allocated to either intervention group (n = 62) with 100 Hz electroacupuncture or control group (n = 62) with 2 Hz electroacupuncture at the L2-S1 Hua Tuo Jia Ji acupoints for 14 days. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang decoction was also administered in both groups. Primary trial outcomes were QDSA score and the proportion of patients who achieved pain relief thresholds. Results: After 14 days of treatment, QDSA score in intervention group decreased significantly compared to control group. 87% of patients in intervention group had pain relief of ≥70%, and only 45% patients in control group had such result. Lumbar flexion range of motion in 100 Hz group tended to be better than in 2 Hz group. Conclusion: 100 Hz electroacupuncture had superior analgesic effects on lumbar osteoarthritis to 2 Hz electroacupuncture.
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