Abstract
Abstract
Background:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) studies have shown that energy in the human body may be detected using the meridian energy analysis device (MEAD) through the measurement of skin electrical conductance of 24 hand and foot acupuncture points on the 12 meridians.
Objective:
This study investigated the association between meridian electrical conductance and nutritional status in patients with cancer.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted with 147 cancer cases at the Linsen Branch of Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, between March 7, 2012 and March 6, 2013. The main outcome measures were meridian electrical conductance tested using the MEAD, while nutritional status was assessed using the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) questionnaire.
Results:
The odds ratio for the total meridian electrical conductance (0.98) indicated that a decrease in the conductance level was correlated with an increase in the odds of being severely malnourished. When a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare median values of the 12 meridians for each PG-SGA stage, the total meridian electric conductance was found to have a significant difference. When examined individually, 7 of the 12 meridians had significant differences (Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Gallbladder, and Stomach).
Conclusions:
The study results suggest a decreasing association between meridian electric conductance and nutritional status. However, there are demographic and disease-related factors that need to be taken into account, as they may have an impact on both measurements. For the time being, the MEAD may be a possible complementary tool, along with nutritional-status assessment, in cancer care.
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