Abstract
Abstract
Background:
Acupuncture has been practiced widely by thousands of practitioners for treating various health conditions. Clinical and basic science research has provided a substantial body of evidence showing that acupuncture has measurable and reproducible effects with regard to a variety of physiologic actions. Several independent studies also suggest that the skin of acupuncture points has unique electrical characteristics. The change in electrical properties of acupuncture points is correlated to certain clinical conditions.
Objective:
This study provided an overview of Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV), an electrodermal diagnostic system that originated from Chinese acupuncture, but with its own unique meridian system. EAV and Chinese meridian systems were compared for their nomenclature and major point locations. In addition, a clinical analysis is presented to show a correlation of respiratory symptoms with EAV measurements.
Materials and Methods:
This study was a 60-case retrospective analysis of 50 patients with respiratory symptoms and 10 control patients without the symptoms. Electrodermal measurements of EAV Lung and Lymphatic meridians and the correlations to specific respiratory symptoms were analyzed.
Results:
The change in electrodermal impedance of acupuncture points was significantly associated with the subjects with respiratory symptoms but not with the controls. Electrodermal changes are also meridian-specific: The change in the Lung meridian is specifically correlated to Lung-related symptoms but not to Lymphatic-related symptoms, and vice versa.
Conclusions:
This 60-case retrospective study showed that acupuncture points might have diagnostic properties. EAV meridian measurement may help clinicians diagnose diseases and improve clinical outcomes. To assess the clinical application and physiologic basis of EAV electrodermal testing further, additional clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted.
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