title: Depressor effect on blood pressure and flow elicited by electroacupuncture in normal subjects.
abstract: To clarify the effect of electroacupuncture (Ea) on the activity of the cardiovascular system in normal individuals, hemodynamic parameters including arterial blood pressure (BP), finger blood flow (FBF) and heart rate (HR) as well as paravertebral temperature (PVT) were non-invasively recorded under Ea stimulation. Surface stimulation electrode was placed on the Hoku point (Li-4). Square wave pulses (0.05 ms) were applied from a stimulator with a stimulation frequency of 2 Hz (3 min). The stimulation intensity was five times of sensory threshold. BP and FBF were decreased (68.5+/-6.0%, P<0.01 and 96.8+/-1.1%, P<0.01 of control, respectively, n=7) while HR and PVT were increased significantly (115.0+/-5.1 of control, P<0.05 and 0.054+/-0.004 degree C, P<0.01, respectively, n=7) during Ea treatment. The results suggested an inhibition in sympathetic outflow, which induced vasodilatation of systemic arteriole and decrease in BP and FBF were elicited by Ea stimulation.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. tblin@csmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Chih-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jiuan-Miaw
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Shih-Jei
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ping-Yen
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Chih-Yung
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Kuo-Long
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Li-Chun
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Den-Wu
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tzer-Bin
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology