title: Pilot study of blood perfusion coherence along the meridian in forearm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have explored the relationship between skin microcirculation and meridian activation. However, few studies have examined blood perfusion coherence along the meridians, and other studies have suggested that the skin vasodilator response relates to age. This study investigated blood perfusion coherence characteristics along the meridian of the forearm in healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 15 young subjects (25.53 ± 2.20) and 15 middle-aged subjects (50.07 ± 3.37) were recruited for this study. Before experiments, each subject was placed in a temperature-controlled room for 60 min. Skin blood perfusion from five points was recorded simultaneously using a full-field laser perfusion imager before and after inflatable occlusion. The five points comprised three points located on the pericardium meridian, and two points from different locations. Coherence analysis between these points was performed at different frequency intervals from 0.0095 to 2 Hz.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In young subjects, the coherence value was unchanged before and after occlusion, and there was no significant difference in coherence value between meridian-meridian points (M-M) and meridian-parameridian points (M-P). In middle-aged subjects, the coherence value increased significantly in both M-M and M-P at frequency intervals of 0.14-0.4 Hz, 0.4-1.6 Hz, and 1.6-2 Hz. However, there was no significant difference in coherence values between M-M and M-P.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inflatable occlusion can increase middle-aged subjects' blood perfusion coherence value of the forearm. However, there is no specificity in meridian location.
authors.forename: Guangjun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Shuyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Wenting
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. zhangweibo@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Weibo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D055815:Young Adult