title: Comparison of electroacupuncture frequency-related effects on heart rate variability in healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: This study aimed to compare the effects of high frequency electroacupuncture (EA) and low-frequency EA on the autonomic nervous system by using a heart rate variability measuring device in normal individuals. Fourteen participants were recruited and each participated in the high-frequency and low-frequency sessions (crossover design). The order of sessions was randomized and the interval between the two sessions was over 2 weeks. Participants received needle insertion with 120-Hz stimulation during the high-frequency session (high-frequency EA group), and with 2-Hz stimulation during the low-frequency session (low-frequency EA group). Acupuncture needles were directly inserted perpendicularly to LI 4 and LI 11 acupoints followed by delivery of electric pulses to these points for 15 minutes. Heart rate variability was measured 5 minutes before and after EA stimulation by a heart rate variability measuring system. We found a significant increase in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval in the high-frequency EA group, with no change in the low-frequency EA group. Both the high-frequency and low-frequency EA groups showed no significant differences in other parameters including high-frequency power, low-frequency power, and the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power. Based on these findings, we concluded that high-frequency EA stimulation is more effective than low-frequency EA stimulation in increasing autonomic nervous activity and there is no difference between the two EA frequencies in enhancing sympathovagal balance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyu-Hyeong
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Won-Chul
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sungtae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koo
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D016011:Normal Distribution; D012016:Reference Values