A Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness of Various Acupuncture Points in Reducing Anxiety to Facilitate Hypnotic Induction

Abstract

This study determined if any acupuncture point (acupoint) known for its calming effects also aided hypnotic induction. Hypnosis was offered to 108 patients requiring minor surgical or dental procedures. All had a history of panic attacks and surgical or dental phobias that complicated or prevented treatment. Unpleasant intruding thoughts of imminent invasive treatments handicapped their ability to accept hypnotic induction; however, acupuncture therapy was proposed to the consenting patient to facilitate hypnotic induction and augment its effects. Each patient received one selected acupoint for acupuncture therapy. Of the 6 acupoints used (LI 4, H 7, SP 6, P 6, GV 24, and Ext-hn-21), GV 24 was best at enhancing hypnotic induction whereas LI 4 produced the best muscular relaxation and P 6 for reducing tension.

Does Modern Research Concerning Chinese Medicine Acupoints Relate to Original Prescriptions? If Not, Why Not?

“…Six were fMRI studies, similar to the ones identified for ST 36. The 4 SP 6 studies included experimental and clinical studies, each with different foci: immune function 10 ; cerebral blood flow 33 ; anxiety 14 ; and vasomotor symptoms in patients with cancer. 43 Interestingly, a study by Aird, in 2005, 61 used similar selection criteria to the present study (except that the Aird study included EA and point combinations), surveying published research for 361 channel acupoints from 1995 to 2000.…”

“…ZJJYJ, Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing. 23 fMRI (cortical function) X Liu, 2014 24 fMRI (cognitive impairment) X Feng, 2012 25 fMRI (cognitive impairment) X KI 6 Vickland, 2008 26 Electrodermal activity X KI 9 Lee, 2015 27 Alcohol dependence X 11 Cerebral blood flow X Satoh, 2009 12 Arterial stiffness (blood pressure) X Huang, 2007 13 fMRI (vascular dementia) X GV 24 Lu, 2013 14 Anxiety X GV 26 Huang, 2007 13 fMRI (vascular dementia) X Light gray shading indicates experimental studies; dark gray shading indicates that the same studies reported on more than 1 acupoint. X indicates no relationship to the ZJJYJ.…”

“…See Table 4. 15,20,21 34 Cerebral blood flow X Lu, 2013 14 Anxiety X Filshie, 2005 44 Night sweats and hot flashes (cancer) X…”

Integrating Pediatric Hypnosis with Complementary Modalities: Clinical Perspectives on Personalized Treatment

“…Hypnosis may help in the tolerability of painful acupoints and augment the response to acupuncture in painful conditions such as headache [ 128 ]. Acupuncture may be useful in facilitating and augmenting hypnotic suggestion in patients who are preparing for dental and surgical procedures and have a history of phobias and panic attacks [ 129 ]. In a study of 108 adults with history of panic attacks and dental/surgical phobias, the acupuncture point GV-24 (the “third eye” point on the forehead) was found to enhance hypnotic induction [ 129 ].…”

“…Acupuncture may be useful in facilitating and augmenting hypnotic suggestion in patients who are preparing for dental and surgical procedures and have a history of phobias and panic attacks [ 129 ]. In a study of 108 adults with history of panic attacks and dental/surgical phobias, the acupuncture point GV-24 (the “third eye” point on the forehead) was found to enhance hypnotic induction [ 129 ]. GV-20 (the “governing vessel” point on the scalp vertex) and surrounding points have been used to decrease anxiety associated with dental procedures [ 130 ].…”