title: Effect of Ren meridian acupoints moxibustion on light propagation along the pericardium meridian at human wrist.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationship between acupoints and meridians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Researches were performed on 45 healthy people under the same conditions. The diffuse light intensity of the Pericardium meridian and its surrounding areas were measured before and after warming moxibustion on three acupoints [Shimen (RN5), Qihai (RN6), and Yinjiao (RN7)] of Ren meridian below umbilicus in the same way. Then two sets of data of each sample were used for statistics and analysis, as well as the three-dimensional distribution figures. Statistical definition of probability value was used to evaluate the effect made by moxibustion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After moxibustion, the diffuse light intensity presented significant changes in 25 samples (P<0.05), enhanced in 15 people (P<0.05) and decreased in 10 (P<0.05). It was consistent with the classification by questionnaire interviews of somatotypes. In addition, diffuse light changed more obviously on Pericardium than non-meridian areas. It was distinct in the three-dimensional distribution figures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diffuse light changes happened in entire measure sites demonstrated that acupoints of Ren meridian moxibustion could affect the light propagation of wrist, especially on the Pericardium meridian. It gave an expression to meridians interconnection as said in the Chinese medicine theory. The two classifications made by light propagation changes were experimental corroboration of that personal physical differences affected the manipulation of Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. These above provided some implications or new directions to future meridian researches.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Grade Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Photonics Technology, Photo and Nano Research Center for Biosciences, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Yan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Chang-Shui
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Song-Hao
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Liu