Hsueh KC, Wang JH, Chen CY, Chen JH, Hsiao G, Kuo YC. Harmonic effects of sham acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) in the radial pulse wave.
J Tradit Complement Med 2023;
13:568-574. [PMID:
38020555 PMCID:
PMC10658434 DOI:
10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.07.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim
Acupuncture has been criticized as a theatrical placebo for the sham effect. Unfortunately, sham tests used in control groups in acupuncture studies have always ignored the underlying biophysical factors, including resonance involved in acupuncture points and meridians.
Experimental procedure
In this study, the effects of sham acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) were examined by analyzing noninvasive 30-sec. recordings of the radial arterial pulses for 3 groups of patients treated with different probes (blunt, sharp, and patch) on the superficial skin of the acupuncture point. The 3 groups were then treated with the sharp probe for 3 different periods (16, 30, and 50 s). Then we compared the harmonics of the radial arterial pulse after Fourier transformation before and after the treatment.
Results
Our results indicated that different probes have effects similar to needle insertion at Tsu San Li. Meanwhile, the harmonic effect of the sharp probe strengthened as time increased.
Conclusions
This study revealed that the meridian effect of sham testing from mechanical stimulation, even from simple touch, on an acupuncture point, should not be overlooked. Thus, even simple touch can be added to electrical or laser acupuncture.
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