Changes of Pulse Rate and Skin Temperature Evoked by Electroacupuncture Stimulation with Different Frequency on both Zusanli Acupoints in Humans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation (EA) of different frequency on pulse rate and skin temperature. Sixteen healthy male medical student volunteers received EA of 2 Hz, and 100 Hz, respectively on the both Zusanli acupoints (St-36) while resting. Their pulse rates were measured on the middle finger, and skin temperature was taken between the thumb and index finger before, during, and after EA stimulation. Each test took 35 minutes. The initial 10 min were defined as baseline period (no EA), the following 15 min as the EA period and the last 10 min as the post-EA period. Three assessments were performed on each subject as follows: A) control assessment: no EA was done throughout the test; B) 2 Hz EA assessment: 2 Hz EA was applied to both Zusanli acupoints during the EA period; and C) 100 Hz EA assessment: 100 Hz EA was applied to both Zusanli acupoints during the EA period. Our results indicate that both 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz EA decreased pulse rates during the EA period, and these changes remained throughout the post-EA period in 2 Hz EA assessment, but not in 100 Hz EA assessment. Both 2 Hz and 100 Hz EA resulted in decreases of skin temperature during the EA period. Our conclusions are that 2 Hz EA and 100 Hz EA applied to both Zusanli acupoints resulted in the decrease of pulse rate, which possibly evoked greater parasympathetic nerve activity on heart beats. 2 Hz EA had a more sustained effect on heart beats than 100 Hz EA. Decreased skin temperatures in the EA period may have resulted from cutaneous vasoconstriction caused by EA induced sympathetic stress response, suggesting EA at least remains for 15 min in clinical application.

Electroacupuncture-Induced Cholinergic Nerve Activation Enhances the Hypoglycemic Effect of Exogenous Insulin in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

“…Hsieh et al tested the effects of low-frequency (2 Hz) and high-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation at the ST-36 acupoint on heart rate and skin temperature in humans and found that high-frequency EA stimulation led to a reduction in heart rate by activating parasympathetic nerves [14]. Thus, we hypothesized that the cholinergic nerves are involved in enhancing exogenous insulin sensitivity in a STZ-induced diabetic rat model.…”

Electroacupuncture at the Zusanli (ST‐36) Acupoint Induces a Hypoglycemic Effect by Stimulating the Cholinergic Nerve in a Rat Model of Streptozotocine‐Induced Insulin‐Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

“…Zhao used the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) and measured interlukin-2 (IL-2) activity to evaluate whether the EA-induced immune system regulatory effects are due to the release of Ach by parasympathetic nerves [17]. Hsieh et al tested the effects of low frequency (2 Hz) and high frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation at the ST-36 acupoint on heart rate and skin temperature in humans and found that high-frequency EA stimulation led to a reduction in heart rate by activating parasympathetic nerves [18]. Previous studies have shown that EA has plasma glucose lowering effects in non-insulin-dependent types; however, the plasma glucose lowering effects and the mechanisms by which EA induces a hypoglycemic effect in insulin-dependent types is not well understood.…”

Intradermal Acupuncture on Shen-Men and Nei-Kuan Acupoints Improves Insomnia in Stroke Patients by Reducing the Sympathetic Nervous Activity: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Post-stroke-onsetinsomnia is mainly caused by anxiety resulting from hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (Palomaki et al, 2003;Leppavuori et al, 2002). Based on the hypothesis that acupuncture could control the autonomic nervous system (Baba et al, 2002;Kotani et al, 2001;Haker et al, 2000;Suter and Kistler, 1999;Hsieh et al, 1999;Knardahl et al, 1998), a RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial) was conducted by authors in a previous study, and based on those results, which was reported in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine that intradermal acupuncture on Shen-Men (He-7) and Nei-Kuan (EH-6) acupoints improved insomnia after stroke (Kim et al, 2004). In that report, the results were attributed to the inhibitory effects of Shen-Men and Nei-Kuan on sympathetic activity, however, the direct variables related to the subjects' autonomic nervous function were not assessed.…”