A complementary method for detecting qi vacuity.
BACKGROUND
Qi vacuity (QV) is defined by traditional Chinese medicine as a loss of energy in the human body. An objective method for detecting QV was not available until recently, however. The automatic reflective diagnosis system (ARDK) is a device that detects human bioenergy through measuring skin conductance at 24 special acupoints on the wrists and ankles.


METHODS
This study used the ARDK to measure skin conductance on 193 patients with QV and 89 sex- and age-matched healthy controls to investigate whether the device is useful in detecting QV. Patients diagnosed with QV have three or more of five symptoms or signs; symptom severity is measured on 5 levels and scored from 0 to 4 points. We compared the difference in the mean ARDK values between patients with QV and healthy controls, and further used linear regression analysis to investigate the correlation between the mean ARDK values and QV scores in patients diagnosed with QV.


RESULTS
The mean ARDK values in patients with QV (30.2 +/- 16.8 microA) are significantly lower than those of healthy controls (37.7 +/- 10.8 microA; P < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between the mean ARDK values and QV scores (r coefficient = -0.61; P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, the decreased mean ARDK values in patients with QV showed a significant correlation with the QV scores.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the mean ARDK values reflect the severity of QV in patients diagnosed with the disorder. They also suggest that the bioenergy level of the human body can be measured by skin conductance. ARDK is a safe and effective complementary method for detecting and diagnosing QV.
Chen
Ming-Feng
MF
Department of Internal Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, No. 542, Sec 1. Chung-Shang Road, Changhua City, Taiwan. cmffly@Gmail.com
Yu
Hsi-Ming
HM
Li
Shu-Fang
SF
You
Ta-Jung
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003933:Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019413:Qi; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult