Study of autonomic nervous activity of night shift workers treated with laser acupuncture.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of laser acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the night shift worker.


BACKGROUND
Many articles have demonstrated that levels of affective disorders and stress are high in night shift workers. We applied laser energy to the Neiguan point (PC6) to examine the impact of laser acupuncture on the ANS of 45 healthy young males who were night shift workers and evaluated their heart-rate variability (HRV).


METHODS
The laser group (n = 15) received laser acupuncture (9.7 J/cm(2), 830 nm) for 10 min, and the placebo group (n = 15) received sham laser treatment. The effects before and after this intervention on the HRV of the subjects were assessed, along with those seen after 30 min of lying down.


RESULTS
After treatment and after the 30-min rest period, the independent-sample t-test showed that both groups exhibited statistically significant differences in high-frequency (HF) HRV, low-frequency (LF) HRV, and the LF:HF ratio of HRV (p < 0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the paired-samples t-test showed that after laser treatment the treatment group had a statistically significant improvement in HF HRV (p = 0.001), LF HRV (p = 0.001), and the LF:HF HRV ratio (p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Laser acupuncture stimulation applied to the Neiguan point increased vagal activity and suppression of cardiac sympathetic nerves. This effect was positive and could be used to help patients who have circadian rhythm disorders.
Wu
Jih-Huah
JH
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chen
Hsin-Yang
HY
Chang
Yu-Ju
YJ
Wu
Hung-Chien
HC
Chang
Wen-Dien
WD
Chu
Yi-Jing
YJ
Jiang
Joe-Air
JA
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult