Responses of Autonomic Nervous System and Gastrointestinal Function to Acupuncture at Abdominal Anterior Cutaneous Nerve : A Pilot Study
Article information
J Korean Med. 2019;40(1):99-113
Received 2019 February 24; Revised 2019 March 15; Accepted 2019 March 15.
Abstract
Objectives
This study is designed to identify the responses of autonomic nervous system and gastrointestinal function which are induced by acupuncture at abdominal anterior cutaneous nerve.
Methods
This study is one group before and after pilot study. Subjects were treated once, after having been fasting six hours. They had before tests, labeling points for acupuncture, acupuncture, and after tests in order. The points of acupuncture were motor points of rectus abdominis where the abdominal anterior cutaneous nerve came to the skin from abdominal wall. Before and after tests were consisted of three things: Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(D.I.T.I.), Heart Rate Variability(HRV), and Recording of bowel sounds.
Results
There were significant differences on the skin temperature of upper body and the frequency of bowel sounds(p<0.001, p<0.001). The HRV parameters and volume of bowel sounds had no significant differences(p>0.05, p>0.05).
Conclusion
Even though no significant differences in HRV parameters, the significant differences of skin temperature of upper body and frequency of bowel sounds could mean acupuncture at abdominal anterior cutaneous nerve could affect the autonomic nervous system and gastrointestinal function. However, this study had no group to compare with. Future randomized project should address this issue.
Keywords: Abdominal anterior cutaneous nerve; Acupuncture; Autonomic nervous system; Gastrointestinal function
Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging
Electrostethoscope
Point for attaching electrostethoscope
Analyzing bowel sounds
(a) Visualized bowel sounds and noise
(b) Transformed bowel sounds for analyzing
Electric probe
Points for acupuncture.
Skin temperature changes of anterior and posterior side of upper body
(a) Skin temperature changes of anterior side of upper body
(b) Skin temperature changes of posterior side of upper body
Changes of Heart Rate Variability
(a) Changes of MHRT
(b) Changes of RMS-SD
(c) Changes of LF
(d) Changes of HR
(e) Changes of LF/HF ratio
Changes of bowel sounds’ volume and frequency
(a) Changes of volume of bowel sounds
(b) Changes of frequency of bowel sounds
General Characteristics of the Subjects
Skin Temperature Changes of Anterior and Posterior Side of Upper Body
Changes of Heart Rate Variability
Volume and Frequency of Bowel Sound
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