The testing of classical pulse concepts in Chinese medicine: left- and right-hand pulse strength discrepancy between males and females and its clinical implications.
OBJECTIVE
The use of the radial pulse as a diagnostic tool is an important part of the Chinese medicine (CM) clinical evaluation. This study reports the findings of an investigation into inter-arm pulse strength differences in subjects and the relationship to traditional pulse claims relating to gender.


METHODS
Using a standardized pulse taking procedure and concrete operational definitions, two pulse assessors with a demonstrated high level of inter-rater agreement each assessed the overall left and right pulse strength and rated their findings on a standardized pulse form.


RESULTS
The overall percentage of inter-rater agreement for manual assessment of dominant hand was 86% (based on a cohort of 65 subjects). In relation to the three possible choices regarding dominant side (right, neither, left) the right-hand side was most commonly selected as relatively strongest of the two regardless of gender (60% of males and 71% of females). Analysis of the data using Chi-square (II) found the observed frequencies for an assessor's rating of dominant hand in males were significantly different to those expected according to CM theory.


CONCLUSIONS
The CM assumption of gender-related pulse-strength differences in left and right hand pulses was not supported within this study.
King
Emma
E
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Emma.King@uts.edu.au
Walsh
Sean
S
Cobbin
Deirdre
D
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods*; D011674:Pulse / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors