Short-term effect of acupuncture on intraocular pressure in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short-term effect of acupuncture on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy subjects.


METHODS
A randomised controlled double-blinded trial was performed. 48 healthy volunteers (94 eyes) were randomly allocated to three groups: acupuncture group-19 subjects (38 eyes) were submitted to a 20 min session of acupuncture (GB1, GB14 and BL1); sham group-14 subjects (27 eyes) were submitted to a 20 min session of acupuncture with needles inserted in false points; and control group-15 subjects (29 eyes) who underwent no intervention. All subjects had the IOP measured by a masked investigator using Goldmann applanation tonometry immediately before intervention, as well as 20 min and 24 h after.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) IOP in the acupuncture group was 17.9 (3.3) mm Hg at baseline, 16.4 (3.9) mm Hg at 20 min and 16.3 (3.3) mm Hg at 24 h. The mean (SD) IOP in the sham group was 18.6 (3.3) mm Hg at baseline, 17.7 (2.6) mm Hg at 20 min and 15.9 (3.6) mm Hg at 24 h. The mean (SD) IOP in the control group was 16.9 (3.5) mm Hg at baseline, 16.5 (3.8) mm Hg at 20 min and 15.8 (3.3) mm Hg at 24 h. There was no statistically significant difference in the IOP variation (post-intervention minus baseline measurements) between groups after 20 min (p=0.13) and 24 h (p=0.21).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture in the studied points did not produce significant short-term effect on the IOP of healthy individuals in comparison with control groups.
Meira-Freitas
Daniel
D
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 821, São Paulo-SP 04023-062, Brazil.
Cariello
Angelino Julio
AJ
Vita
Ruth Cardoso
RC
Tabosa
Angela
A
Melo
Luiz Alberto S
LA
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009802:Oculomotor Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*