Electrodermal Screening of Biologically Active Points for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

The purpose of this case-control study was to investigate the relationship between the electrical resistance of the skin at biologically active points (BAPs) on the main meridians and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Electrical resistance to direct current at 20 BAPs on the fingers and toes of 100 patients with (38 men, 12 women; mean age [range], 58.20 ± 19.62 [18-83] years) and without (27 men, 23 women; 49.54 ± 12.12 [22-74] years) UGIB was measured through electrodermal screening (EDS), based on the theory of electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV). Data were compared through analysis of variance (ANOVA), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and logistic regression. The initial readings were lower in the UGIB group, indicating blood and energy deficiency due to UGIB. Significant differences in indicator drop values were observed at nine BAPs (p < 0.05) on the bilateral small intestine, bilateral stomach, bilateral circulation, bilateral fibroid degeneration, and right lymph meridians. The area under the ROC curve values of the BAPs on the bilateral small intestine and stomach meridians were larger than 0.5, suggesting the diagnostic accuracy of EDS for UGIB on the basis of the indicator drop of these BAPs. Logistic regression revealed that when the indicator drop of the BAP on the left stomach meridian increased by one score, the risk of UGIB increased by about 1.545-3.523 times. In conclusion, the change in the electrical resistance of the skin measured by EDS at the BAPs on the bilateral small intestine and stomach meridians provides specific information on UGIB.

Comparison of physical electrical conductivity and acupuncture de-qi sensation between stainless steel needling and supercritical fluid-treated needling

“…According to previous research, higher electrical resistance of the meridian is often accompanied by organ function or suboptimal health conditions [ 13 ]. Research has also shown that lower electrical resistance often represents a better connection to the meridian [ 13 ].…”

“…According to previous research, higher electrical resistance of the meridian is often accompanied by organ function or suboptimal health conditions [ 13 ]. Research has also shown that lower electrical resistance often represents a better connection to the meridian [ 13 ]. Our results showed that the electrical resistance of the SCF-N group was lower than that of the control group, which could indicate that using the SCF-N needles for electro-acupuncture may achieve a better therapeutic effect than using untreated needles.…”

“…Electro-acupuncture is widely used to strengthen the effect of acupuncture. In this study, electrical conductivity and resistance of the needles were used as standards for assessing therapeutic effects [ 13 , 14 ]. The conductivity and resistance of SCF-N-treated needles were compared with those of untreated needles.…”

Meridian study on the response current affected by electrical pulse and acupuncture

“…There are many different kinds of hypothesis on the nature of meridians [ 8 ]. They can be divided into four theoretical parts: those of nerve conduction theory [ 9 , 10 ], body fluid circulation theory [ 11 , 12 ], fascia and connective tissue structure doctrine [ 13 , 14 ], and biological field (or energy) doctrine [ 15 , 16 ]. Each hypothesis interprets the meridian essence of Chinese medicine from a different perspective, and these different hypotheses try to explore the essence of the meridian from individual reasonable points of view.…”

Increase in Electrodermal Activity on Acupuncture Points of Lymphatic, Lung, Nervous, Endocrine and Heart Meridians after Running Exercise, a Single Case Study

“…In the past years studies have shown that electrodermal testing using both EAV and Chinese meridian system are accurate and reliable tool to measure electrodermal activities in APs. [10,12] There have also been pilot studies using either systems correlating electrodermal testing with pathophysiological conditions [11,[13][14][15] as well as evaluating therapeutic practices. [16,17] A 60-case retrospective study showed that specific changes in EAV testing from Lung and Lymphatic meridians were correlated to lung and upper respiratory symptoms, respectively.…”