title: Is commercially available point finder accurate and reliable in detecting active auricular acupuncture points?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to determine the specificity and sensitivity of a commercial Pointer Plus (Point finder) in detecting a region of low skin resistance on the ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective blinded study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was done at the Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were men and women who work at Yale New Haven Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were no interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlations were made between self-reported musculoskeletal pain and the detection of low skin resistance on the ear.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive predictive value for Pointer Plus detecting low skin resistance correlating to the neck region of French auricular map is 0.76 (76%). The positive predictive value for Pointer Plus to detect low skin resistance area correlating to the low back region of French auricular map is 0.25. The positive predictive value for Pointer Plus in detecting any low in skin resistance on the external auricles in patients who complained of more than two musculoskeletal pains is 0.29.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The specificity and sensitivity of a commercial Pointer Plus (point finder) in detecting a region of low skin resistance on the ear being unreliable, depending on the correlating area based on a published auricular map. Additional assessments are needed to support the clinical practice.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA. Shuminw1@uci.edu
authors: Shu-Ming
authors: SM
authors: Wang
authors: Inna
authors: I
authors: Maranets
authors: Eric C
authors: EC
authors: Lin
authors: Peggy
authors: P
authors: DeZinno
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D020831:Acupuncture, Ear / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce; D004431:Ear, External; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin; D055815:Young Adult