International Scientific Acupuncture and Meridian Symposium 2014

摘要

This study analyzed the electromyographic and strength responses of the flexor muscles of the wrist following stimulation ofacupuncture points. A total of 52 participants were randomly divided into four groups: local (heart 3, HT3), distant (heart 4,HT4), control (bladder 60, BL60), and naive control groups. To obtain the root-mean-square electromyographic activity, weplaced surface electrodes over the wrist flexors. To obtain kilogram force (kgf) values, we attached a force transducer tothe floor and to the hands of the participants. Both values were recorded over three repetitions of maximal isometric wristflexion contractions. Data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance, followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc tests. Wefound reductions in electromyographic activity contralateral to the stimulated point in the distant group 10 minutes afterremoval of the needles (F3, 48 Z 3.25; p < 0.05). Regarding muscle strength, ipsilateral and contralateral stimulations in thedistant group produced kgf levels prior to and 10 minute and 20 minutes after withdrawal of the acupuncture needle thatwere lower than that obtained prior to insertion of the needle (F3, 48 Z 5.82; p < 0.05). Thus, stimulation of theacupuncture points distant from the wrist flexors reduced ipsilateral and contralateral muscle strength and decreased theroot-mean-square values contralateral to the site of stimulation.