title: Development and evaluation of a bio-ion measurement system on acupoints for meridian diagnosis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a new method of measuring the meridian energy potential (MEP) at an acupoint with bioelectrical impedance in order to establish an objective meridian diagnosis. To confirm the reflection of the changes in body composition at acupoints, the changes in the MEP on the bladder meridian before, during and after cupping were observed. Additionally, to evaluate the usefulness of diagnosis, the MEP on the stomach meridian before and after a meal was measured. Significant increases were found at every acupoint during cupping and after eating a meal. It was confirmed that the MEP data reflected changes in body composition at every acupoint and that these changes were associated with functioning of the associated internal organs. In conclusion, we propose the usefulness of this method, which can indicate the state of acupoints.
authors.affiliation: Eastern & Western Biomedical System Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Byeong
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Min
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Yong-Heum
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004566:Electrodes; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians