Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of acupoints changes body composition and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women with obesity

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with core stability training in postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominis

BACKGROUND

Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) women experience discomfort signs, which had a negative impact like an impairment of the quality of life and functional capacities of women. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and core muscle training (CMT) have provided increasing evidence as an important strategy for DRA. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with core muscle training (TEAS + CMT) in postpartum women with DRA.

METHODS

A total of 96 postpartum women with DRA were randomly assigned to three groups: control (waiting-list group), treatment group 1 (CMT), and treatment group 2 (TEAS + CMT), with 32 participants in each group. Ultimately, 90 participants completed the study (30 in each group). The control group received conventional postpartum natural recovery. Treatment group 1 underwent CMT once daily, five times per week, for four consecutive weeks (one treatment course). Treatment group 2 received TEAS + CMT following the same schedule. Changes in interrectus distance (IRD), waistline (WL), body mass index (BMI), lumbago (measured by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire [SF-MPQ]), and quality of life (assessed via SF-36) were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTS

At the end of treatment, each group showed notable reductions in IRD, WL, and BMI(P < 0.05), in with the most significant improvements observed in treatment group 2 (P < 0.05). Lumbago scores (SF-MPQ) distinctly decreased each group (P < 0.05), while quality of life scores (SF-36) evidently improved (P < 0.05), with treatment group 2 showing the most pronounced effects (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TEAS + CMT may improve DRA of postpartum women, reduce WL and BMI, alleviate lumbago, and improve quality of life.

Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation of T6 Dermatome on Appetite and Weight Reduction in Obese Individuals: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Previous work demonstrated the beneficial effect of T6 dermatomal stimulation by the percutaneous method in managing obesity. However, a simple, cost-effective, and feasible intervention stimulating the dermatome can be a potential solution for obesity care.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to find the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of T6 dermatome on appetite and weight loss in obese individuals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective single-arm experimental study, 20 obese patients received TENS treatment of T6 dermatome for 30 min, once a week and for 12 weeks. Outcome measures such as appetite level in the visual analog scale (VAS), weight in kg, and basal metabolic index (BMI) in kg/m2 were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks -post-intervention, and at 8 weeks of follow-up.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference in all the variables was found from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.001) and maintained till 8 weeks of follow-up. From pre- to post-treatment, the effect size for appetite reduction was large (>1) while for weight and BMI loss was (0.14, 0.16), respectively small. Additionally, a weak correlation was found between pre- and follow-up appetite and weight loss (r = 0.25, P = 0.294).

CONCLUSIONS

Twelve weeks of TENS treatment of T6 dermatome showed a positive effect in reducing appetite with sustained reduction up to 8 weeks of follow-up even after completion of the intervention. However, in the absence of dietary modification, TENS treatment was associated with low effect sizes weight and BMI loss.

Comparison of the effective intensity of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation contralateral to a pain site for analgesia

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation contralateral to the pain site for analgesia to identify the effective stimulation intensity. [Participants and Methods] Ten healthy adult females were recruited for the study. The same heat stimulation was applied to the left wrist joint of each participant to induce pain, serving as the control. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was then randomly administered to the right wrist, corresponding to the same dermatome contralateral to the painful site, at the intensities of comfortable stimulation, pain threshold, and maximum pain. The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale and by analysis of heart rate variability. [Results] The Visual Analogue Scale score was significantly lower after stimulation with the maximum pain intensity than that for control, and there were no significant differences among the intensities of comfortable stimulation, pain threshold, and maximum pain. No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of high and low-to-high frequency components. [Conclusion] Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at the maximum pain intensity to the dermatome area contralateral to that of the dorsal pain site of the left wrist was considered effective.

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of PC5 and PC6 Acupoints Modulates Autonomic Balance in Heart Transplant Patients: A Pilot Study

The increased resting heart rate (HR) in heart transplant patients is associated with enhanced metabolic demand, the potential for fatigue, and lower quality of life. In the present study, we hypothesized that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) could modulate autonomic balance and reduce resting HR in these patients. A single-arm clinical trial was conducted with patients aged > 18 years, at ambulatorial accompaniment after heart transplantation, who were submitted to a single TEAS (40 minutes at pericardium channel acupoints PC5 and PC6). The arterial blood pressure and RR interval were recorded from 20 minutes before to 20 minutes after TEAS. The RR intervals were used to calculate HR variability (HRV) and the sympathovagal index. Linear mixed models were used for comparing variables before, during, and after TEAS. The significance level was set as P < 0.05. TEAS acutely improved HRV in transplant patients and enhanced the sympathovagal index during its application. Significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were observed at recovery, such as a slight, but significant, decrease in HR. In conclusion, TEAS at PC5 and PC6 acutely modulates HRV and hemodynamics in transplant patients.

Modern acupuncture-like stimulation methods: a literature review

Acupuncture therapy has been proved to be effective for diverse diseases, symptoms, and conditions in numerous clinical trials. The growing popularity of acupuncture therapy has triggered the development of modern acupuncture-like stimulation devices (ASDs), which are equivalent or superior to manual acupuncture with respect to safety, decreased risk of infection, and facilitation of clinical trials. Here, we aim to summarize the research on modern ASDs, with a focus on featured devices undergoing active research and their effectiveness and target symptoms, along with annual publication rates. We searched the popular electronic databases Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and analyzed English-language studies on humans. Thereby, a total of 728 studies were identified, of which 195 studies met our inclusion criteria. Electrical stimulators were found to be the earliest and most widely studied devices (133 articles), followed by laser (44 articles), magnetic (16 articles), and ultrasound (2 articles) stimulators. A total of 114 studies used randomized controlled trials, and 109 studies reported therapeutic benefits. The majority of the studies (32%) focused on analgesia and pain-relief effects, followed by effects on brain activity (16%). All types of the reviewed ASDs were associated with increasing annual publication trends; specifically, the annual growth in publications regarding noninvasive stimulation methods was more rapid than that regarding invasive methods. Based on this observation, we anticipate that the noninvasive or minimally invasive ASDs will become more popular in acupuncture therapy.

ZHENG May Contribute to Obesity Phenotypes Based on Body Composition: A Pilot Study on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach

Objective. Obesity therapy needs new approaches to complement current phenotyping systems. This study aims to assess associations between the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ZHENG and obesity phenotypes. Methods. We assessed medical history and habitual physical activity and measured body composition, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, and lipids. We collected TCM data through face-to-face interview. ZHENG elements (essentials and locations) were identified by TCM practitioner. Primary ZHENG was assessed by cluster analysis. Results. In 140 consecutive subjects enrolled in a university clinic (body mass index (BMI): 39.9 ± 5.8 kg/m2), ZHENG essentials were identified as “QiXu,” “Re,” “YinXu,” and “TanShi” (totally 86.8%). Locations were “Shen,” “Wei,” “Pi,” and “Gan” (totally 91.8%). Four types of primary ZHENG were identified: A (37.1% of subjects), B (16.5%), C (35.7%), and D (10.7%). Subjects in type D showed elevated BMI, total fat mass (FM), FM index, trunk FM, and less physical activity, as compared with others. Subjects in type B changed regional body composition (reduced trunk FM% and elevated appendicular FM%). Biological parameters did not differ across primary ZHENG clusters. Conclusions. Obesity phenotypes based on body composition differ according to ZHENG in obese patients. This study is a first step toward understanding the contribution of TCM to obesity phenotyping.

Involvement of Interleukin-10 in the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Sanyinjiao (SP6) Acupuncture in a Mouse Model of Peritonitis

In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory effect of manual acupuncture at the Sanyinjiao or Spleen 6 (SP6) point on carrageenan-induced peritonitis in mice and investigated mechanisms that may underlie this effect. In the first set of experiments, male Swiss mice were allocated into five groups: the control (sterile saline), dexamethasone (DEXA), invasive sham-acupuncture (non-acupoint), SP6 acupuncture and carrageenan-treated groups. Ten minutes after needle retention or 30 min after DEXA treatment, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of carrageenan (750 μg/mouse). After 4 h, total leukocyte and differential cell counts (neutrophils and mononuclear), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, vascular permeability and cytokine levels were evaluated. In another set of experiments, adrenalectomized (ADX) mice were used to study the involvement of the adrenal gland on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Mice were allocated into two groups: the ADX and sham-operated animals (Sham ADX) that were subdivided into four subgroups each: the control (sterile saline), DEXA, SP6 acupuncture and carrageenan-treated groups. The SP6 and DEXA treatments inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular permeability and MPO activity in carrageenan-injected mice. In addition, the SP6 treatment also increased interleukin (IL)-10 levels. In contrast, when the animals were adrenalectomized, the SP6 treatment failed to reduce total leukocyte and the plasma extravasation. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effect of SP6 acupuncture in a model of carrageenan-induced peritonitis. Our results demonstrated that SP6 acupuncture depends of the adrenal glands and increased IL-10 levels to produce its anti-inflammatory action.

Impact of shock wave lithotripsy on heart rate variability in patients with urolithiasis

The physiological response of the cardiac autonomic nervous system during shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) remains unclear. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index of cardiac autonomic balance. This study aimed to analyze HRV during SWL in patients with urolithiasis. Electrocardiograms of patients who underwent SWL were obtained. Recordings were obtained before and after SWL. For each time point, the recordings were obtained continuously for 6 min, after which R wave-to-R wave (RR) intervals were extracted. The time digital sequence derived from RR intervals was the HRV signal. Time-domain analysis revealed that the mean of RR intervals (MRR) and standard deviation of normal beat-to-normal beat (NN) intervals (SDNN), but not the square root of the mean squared difference of successive NNs (RMSSD) or triangular interpolation of NN intervals (TINN), significantly increased during SWL. The increase in SDNN persisted after SWL but MRR returned to the initial level. Frequency-domain analysis revealed that very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), and LF/high frequency (HF) ratio significantly increased after SWL, while there was no statistically significant difference in HF. Thus, the patients had significantly high MRR and SDNN during SWL and significantly high SDNN, VLF, LF, and LF/HF ratio after SWL. SWL could alter the functioning of the cardiac autonomic nervous system, resulting in reduction in sympathetic activity and increase in parasympathetic activity. Further studies with larger samples are required to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.

Radial pressure pulse and heart rate variability in heat- and cold-stressed humans

This study aims to explore the effects of heat and cold stress on the radial pressure pulse (RPP) and heart rate variability (HRV). The subjects immersed their left hand into 45°C and 7°C water for 2 minutes. Sixty healthy subjects (age 25 ± 4 yr; 29 men and 31 women) were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent the supine temperature measurements of the bilateral forearms, brachial arterial blood pressure, HRV and RPP with a pulse analyzer in normothermic conditions, and thermal stresses. The power spectral low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components of HRV decreased in the heat test and increased in the cold test. The heat stress significantly reduced radial augmentation index (AIr) (P < .05), but the cold stress significantly increased AIr (P < .01). The spectral energy of RPP did not show any statistical difference in 0 ~ 10 Hz region under both conditions, but in the region of 10 ~ 50 Hz, there was a significant increase (P < .01) in the heat test and a significant decrease in the cold test (P < .01). The changes in AIr induced by heat and cold stress were significantly negatively correlated with the spectral energy in the region of 10 ~ 50 Hz (SE_10−50 Hz) but not in the region of 0 ~ 10 Hz (SE_0−10 Hz). The results demonstrated that the SE_10−50 Hz, which only possessed a small percentage in total pulse energy, presented more physiological characteristics than the SE_0−10 Hz under the thermal stresses.