title: Different patterns of dynamic variations on electrical conductances of acupoints between Qi Vacuity and Qi non-Vacuity after glucose ingestion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi maintains the physiologic function and indicates physiologic energy. Glucose provides energy to humans, thereby playing a role analogous to "nutritive Qi." This study aims to identify the correlations among blood glucose, Qi Vacuity (QV), and the electrical conductances of acupoints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty (20) subjects who had ingested a glucose solution after a 10-hour overnight fast were divided into two groups based on QV score. Then their acupoint conductances were measured sequentially using a Ryodoraku instrument during the following 120 minutes. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations as a time-series model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight (8) subjects were categorized into a Qi Vacuous group for QV score >6, and the other 12 subjects were categorized into a Qi non-Vacuous group for QV score ≤6. During the first 30 minutes, the acupoint conductances decreased on the left Pericardium, left Heart, right Liver, Kidney, and Gallbladder meridians in the Qi Vacuous group, and increased on the right Pericardium meridian and decreased on the right Gallbladder meridian in the Qi non-Vacuous group. From 30 to 60 and 60 to 90 minutes, the acupoint conductances decreased on the Gallbladder, Heart, left Pericardium, left Kidney, right Liver, and right Stomach meridians in the Qi Vacuous group, and increased on the Pericardium, Heart, left Small Intestine, and left Lung meridians in the Qi non-Vacuous group. During the last 30 minutes, more of the acupoint conductances were increased in the Qi non-Vacuous group, whereas only the acupoint conductance on the liver meridian was increased and that on the left gallbladder meridian was decreased in the Qi Vacuous group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that the energy distribution and transformation in meridian vessels present different patterns in QV and non-QV groups after glucose consumption.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ke-Feng
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shih-Tsang
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Chih-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Wei-Ru
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jiun-Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shuenn-Tsong
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D016740:Meridians; D019413:Qi; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005947:Glucose