Clinical Teleacupuncture between China and Austria Using Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Depression

In previous studies by the same research group it has been shown in post-stroke patients that the autonomic system can be affected by acupuncture. Within this study, teleacupuncture between China and Austria is used for quantifying the effects of heart rate variability (HRV) in Chinese patients suffering from depression. In 22 Chinese depression patients (17 f, 5 m;mean age ± SD 52.3 ± 10.6 years;range 31 - 70 years) electrocardiographic signals before, during and after acupuncture at the acupoint Jianshi (PC 5) were recorded in Harbin and analyzed in Graz using teleacupuncture via internet. HRV data were analyzed in the time and frequency domain and a protocol from Austria was sent to the team in China immediately after the treatment and recording session. Mean heart rate decreased significantly (p < 0.001) during and after acupuncture, whereas total HRV increased significantly during (p < 0.034) and after (p < 0.001) acupuncture, always immediately following manual needle stimulation. Furthermore, there is a marked decrease in balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity (low frequency/high frequency HRV ratio) during treatment. This study shows that HRV could be a useful parameter for quantifying clinical effects of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system. Teleacupuncture between China and Austria over a distance of more than 8,500 km has been successfully used.

Effect of scraping therapy on weightlifting ability

OBJECTIVE:To verify the effects of scraping therapy on the weightlifting ability by measuring the subjective sensation,and changes of biomarkers.METHODS:Five students,who have been trained for 3 years in a sport school in China were participated in this study.A course of scraping therapy was applied to intervene during the normal 7-week of weightlifting training programme.The ability of weightlifting,the scale of rating perceived exertion and serum biochemical markers were measured before and after the intervention.RESULTS:Scraping therapy caused a significant increase in weightlifting ability(P<0.05).The level of rating perceived exertion remained stable with the increase in the training volume.Immuno-globulinA was significantly increased(P<0.05),and creatine kinase and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased(P<0.05).No significant changes were observed in white blood cell,neutrophil,and testosterone.CONCLUSION:Scraping therapy may facilitate weightlifting ability mainly by decreasing weight sensation and improving serum biochemical parameters.

Mechanism of acupuncture regulating visceral sensation and mobility

Chinese ancient medical scientists have long focused on the internal and external contacts between acupoints on the surface of the body and the viscera.The Miraculous Pivot(it is one of the earliest medical classics in China)stated,“Twelve regular channels belong to the zang-fu organs internally,and connect to the extremities and joints externally.”Traditional Chinese medicine considers acupoints as defined areas where the Qi of viscera and meridians are transfused.These include the reaction points of visceral diseases on the body surface as well as the acupuncture trigger points that promote the flow of Qi and blood,and regulate visceral function.Chinese ancient medical scientists classified the specificity of the main acupoints in the body based on the meridian doctrine,which has been instructing clinical application for about 2000 years.Laws on the domino effect of acupoints have mainly focused on conclusions to clinical experiences.Indications of some acupoints exceed the practical paradigm since the excessive extension occurred during theory derivation.The current research direction on acupuncture focuses on three aspects:the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion;the relevances and associations between meridians and viscera;and the physical and chemical properties and relevant physical basis of acupoints.The relevance between meridians and viscera is the central theory in the meridian doctrine,and acupoints are regarded as an important link in the relationship between meridians and viscera.Specific relationships between acupoints and target organs exist.Stimulating different acupoints on the body surface can help deal with different diseases,especially visceral diseases.In addition,acupoints have a dual function of reflecting and treating visceral diseases.There is no systemic research available on acupoint specificity,despite current knowledge and clinical experiences,which results in a weak foundation for acupuncture theory.This study focuses on the relevance and associations between meridians and viscera.A summary of the mechanisms of acupuncture regulating visceral sensation and mobility and the specific relationships between acupoints and their target organs are presented in this review.

Referred Somatic Hyperalgesia Mediates Cardiac Regulation by the Activation of Sympathetic Nerves in a Rat Model of Myocardial Ischemia

Myocardial ischemia(MI)causes somatic referred pain and sympathetic hyperactivity,and the role of sensory inputs from referred areas in cardiac function and sympathetic hyperactivity remain unclear.Here,in a rat model,we showed that MI not only led to referred mechanical hypersensitivity on the forelimbs and upper back,but also elicited sympathetic sprouting in the skin of the referred area and C8–T6 dorsal root ganglia,and increased cardiac sympathetic tone,indicating sympathetic-sensory coupling.Moreover,intensifying referred hyperalgesic inputs with noxious mechanical,thermal,and electro-stimulation(ES)of the forearm augmented sympathetic hyperactivity and regulated cardiac function,whereas deafferentation of the left brachial plexus diminished sympathoexcitation.Intradermal injection of the α_(2) adrenoceptor(α_(2)AR)antagonist yohimbine and agonist dexmedetomidine in the forearm attenuated the cardiac adjustment by ES.Overall,these findings suggest that sensory inputs from the referred pain area contribute to cardiac functional adjustment via peripheral α_(2)AR-mediated sympathetic-sensory coupling.

Cutaneous Hypersensitivity as an Indicator of Visceral Inflammation via C-Nociceptor Axon Bifurcation

Pain on the body surface can accompany disorders in the deep tissue or internal organs. However, the anatomical and physiological mechanisms are obscure.Here, we provided direct evidence of axon bifurcation in primary C-nociceptive neurons that innervate both the skin and a visceral organ. Double-labeled dorsal root ganglion(DRG) neurons and Evans blue extravasation were observed in 3 types of chemically-induced visceral inflammation(colitis, urocystitis, and acute gastritis) rat models.In the colitis model, mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous activity were recorded in vivo from doublelabeled C-nociceptive neurons in S1 or L6 DRGs. These neurons showed significantly enhanced responses to both somatic stimulation and colorectal distension. Our findings suggest that the branching of C-nociceptor axons contribute to cutaneous hypersensitivity in visceral inflammation. Cutaneous hypersensitivity on certain locations of the body surface might serve as an indicator of pathological conditions in the corresponding visceral organ.