Power spectral analysis of cardiovascular autonomic functional modulation in response to acute psychological stress after induction of acupressure at GV20: An observational study

• Published in: National journal of physiology, pharmacy and pharmacology pharmacy and pharmacology, 2017, Vol.7 (4), p.1
• Main Authors: Vijaykumar, Nagalakshmi, Kattimani, Vandana, Nallulwar, Shobha, Karne, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acupressure; Alternative medicine; Anxiety; Blood pressure; Chinese medicine; Clinical trials; College students; Fourier transforms; Heart rate; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Observational studies; Physiology; Stress; Studies; Young adults
• ISSN: 2320-4672; 2231-3206
• DOI: 10.5455/njppp.2017.7.1131402122016

[3] Acupressure is a complementary and alternative medicine treatment in which fingertip pressure is applied to acupoints, points on the skin designated as such by Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to the studies made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is proved situated in the frontal lobe area. [10] During normal resting condition, there is a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of autonomic activities (Sympathovagal balance) which is responsible for the normal heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and HR variability (HRV) which is variation in R-R interval during normal respiration. [14] Frequency domain measurements got by power spectral analysis (PSA) of HRV can quantify both sympathetic and parasympathetic components of ANS and recognize sympathovagal imbalance. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Physiology, SDM Medical College from July to September 2015 after obtaining institutional ethical clearance, on 30 healthy volunteers of 18-20 years age of both the genders (males - 18 and females - 12), those who were not familiar with acupressure were selected as subjects randomly. Exclusion Criteria The smokers, past history of psychiatric illness, body mass index (BMI, in kg/m2) outside the range of 18.5-24.99, subjects currently using steroid hormone medications and/or recreational drugs were excluded from the study. Frequency domain analysis was performed using non-parametric method of Fast Fourier subjective measures of stress during but not before or after the test. Lagraauw HM, Kuiper J, Bot I. Acute and chronic psychological stress as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: Effects...