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01-02-2016 | Research Article

Electroacupuncture most effectively elicits depressor and bradycardic responses at 1 Hz in humans

Authors: Hidehiro Nakahara, Toru Kawada, Shin-ya Ueda, Eriko Kawai, Hiromi Yamamoto, Masaru Sugimachi, Tadayoshi Miyamoto

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Acupuncture stimulation is known to act on the autonomic nervous system and elicits depressor and bradycardic effects. However, previous studies on humans did not conduct quantitative analyses on optimal acupuncture conditions such as the stimulation frequency and duration to achieve maximum depressor and bradycardic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of varying stimulation frequencies of electroacupuncture on time-dependent changes in blood pressure and heart rate in humans.

Methods

Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the study. An acupuncture needle was inserted at the Ximen acupoint (PC4 according to WHO nomenclature), located at the anterior aspect of the forearm. An electrical stimulation was delivered through the acupuncture needle at an intensity of 1 V, pulse width of 5 ms, and stimulation frequencies of 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 Hz in a random order. The duration of electroacupuncture was 6 min, during which blood pressure and heart rate responses were monitored.

Results

Group-averaged data indicated that 1-Hz electroacupuncture decreased blood pressure and heart rate. Blood pressure was significantly decreased from the prestimulation baseline value of 86.6 ± 2.9 to 81.4 ± 2.3 mmHg during 4–6 min of 1-Hz electroacupuncture (mean ± SE, P < 0.01). Heart rate was also significantly decreased (from 66.2 ± 2.0 to 62.7 ± 1.7 beats/min, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

These results provide fundamental evidence that bradycardiac and depressor responses are effectively produced by electrical acupuncture in humans.

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Title: Electroacupuncture most effectively elicits depressor and bradycardic responses at 1 Hz in humans
Authors: Hidehiro Nakahara
Toru Kawada
Shin-ya Ueda
Eriko Kawai
Hiromi Yamamoto
Masaru Sugimachi
Tadayoshi Miyamoto
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-015-0330-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Electroacupuncture most effectively elicits depressor and bradycardic responses at 1 Hz in humans

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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