Differential autonomic response to acupuncture at wood and metal of five-shu acupoints.
OBJECTIVE
The study examined differential autonomic nervous responses to acupuncture stimulation at the wood points ([Formula: see text]) and the metal points ([Formula: see text]) among the five-shu points of the Pericardium and Triple Energizer Meridian.


METHODS
This was a crossover study of different acupuncture points with randomized order.


METHODS
The study subjects were 30 healthy female volunteers (22.8 ± 2.6 years old).


METHODS
The acupuncture sessions were carried out over four sessions at 2-5-day intervals at the same time of day with one of the four acupoints: the wood distal point (Zhongchong, PC9), metal distal point (Zhongzhu, TE3), wood proximal point (Jianshi, PC5), and metal proximal point (Guanchong, TE1) on the left hand. After 5 minutes' rest (Pre-Acup), acupuncture needles were inserted, manipulated promptly, and were retained for 20 minutes followed by 5 minutes' rest (Post-Acup).


METHODS
Heart rate variability, skin conductance response, respiration rate, and peripheral skin temperature were measured.


RESULTS
For the normalized low-frequency band of heart rate variability, there was a statistically significant increase during Acup and Post-Acup at the PC9 and TE3 wood points compared with Pre-Acup. Statistically significant decreases for PC5 and TE1 were evident at the metal points. Skin conductance response and peripheral skin temperature, which are indicative of sympathetic activity and blood flow, respectively, were significantly induced at PC9 during Acup compared to Pre-Acup.


CONCLUSIONS
The wood points PC9 and TE3 increase sympathetic activity; and the metal points TE1 and PC5 increase the parasympathetic activity. The effect of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system differs between the wood and the metal points.
Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Oriental Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju, South Korea.
Woojin
W
Choi
Seunggi
S
Lee
Seunghun
S
Cho
Kyungmo
K
Park
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012881:Skin Temperature; D055815:Young Adult