Effect of electroacupuncture at the Pericardium Meridian on the heart function of volunteers with acute hypoxia

• Published in: Journal of acupuncture and tuina science 2017-10, Vol.15 (5), p.354-359
• Main Authors: Dong, Ya-qin, Huang, Qian-ru, Chen, Qi, Chen, Ming, Xu, Jin-sen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Clinical Study; Electroacupuncture; Hemodynamics; Hypoxia; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pericardium
• ISSN: 1672-3597; 1993-0399
• DOI: 10.1007/s11726-017-1027-6

Objective To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Pericardium Meridian on the heart function of volunteers with acute hypoxia, and to provide scientific evidence for the acupoints selection along the affected meridian in acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Methods Based on a self-control design, eighteen healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Points from the Pericardium Meridian [Neiguan (PC 6), Ximen (PC 4), Quze (PC 3) and Tianquan (PC 2)], non-Pericardium Meridian point [Shousanli (LI 10)], non-meridian and non-acupoint points [1.0-1.5 cm lateral to Neiguan (PC 6) and Ximen (PC 4), respectively on both sides], and a blank control (only inhaling low-oxygen gas without EA stimulation) were selected to observe, once every week, 10 sessions in total, and only 1 acupoint was observed once. The volunteers inhaled low-oxygen gas mixture (10.8% O 2 and 89.2% N 2 ) for 30 min to imitate acute hypoxia. EA was conducted when the gas mixture was inhaled for 10 min and then lasted for 20 min; meanwhile, hemodynamic indexes such as cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), left cardiac work (LCW), left cardiac work index (LCWI) and heart rate (HR) were recorded on a hemodynamic monitor. Results EA at the acupoints of Pericardium Meridian significantly down-regulated the increased CO/CI, LCW/LCWI, and HR ( P