Electrical Potential of Acupuncture Points: Use of a Noncontact Scanning Kelvin Probe
Joint Authors
Gow, Brian J.
Cheng, Justine L.
Baikie, Iain D.
Martinsen, Ørjan G.
Zhao, Min
Smith, Stephanie
Ahn, Andrew C.
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-12-20
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Acupuncture points are reportedly distinguishable by their electrical properties.
However, confounders arising from skin-to-electrode contact used in traditional electrodermal methods have contributed to controversies over this claim.
The Scanning Kelvin Probe is a state-of-the-art device that measures electrical potential without actually touching the skin and is thus capable of overcoming these confounding effects.
In this study, we evaluated the electrical potential profiles of acupoints LI-4 and PC-6 and their adjacent controls.
We hypothesize that acupuncture point sites are associated with increased variability in potential compared to adjacent control sites.
Methods.
Twelve healthy individuals were recruited for this study.
Acupuncture points LI-4 and PC-6 and their adjacent controls were assessed.
A 2 mm probe tip was placed over the predetermined skin site and adjusted to a tip-to-sample distance of 1.0 mm under tip oscillation settings of 62.4 Hz frequency.
A 6×6 surface potential scan spanning a 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm area was obtained.
Results.
At both the PC-6 and LI-4 sites, no significant differences in mean potential were observed compared to their respective controls (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P=0.73 and 0.79, resp.).
However, the LI-4 site was associated with significant increase in variability compared to its control as denoted by standard deviation and range (P=0.002 and 0.0005, resp.).
At the PC-6 site, no statistical differences in variability were observed.
Conclusion.
Acupuncture points may be associated with increased variability in electrical potential.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Gow, Brian J.& Cheng, Justine L.& Baikie, Iain D.& Martinsen, Ørjan G.& Zhao, Min& Smith, Stephanie…[et al.]. 2012. Electrical Potential of Acupuncture Points: Use of a Noncontact Scanning Kelvin Probe. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992481
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Gow, Brian J.…[et al.]. Electrical Potential of Acupuncture Points: Use of a Noncontact Scanning Kelvin Probe. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992481
American Medical Association (AMA)
Gow, Brian J.& Cheng, Justine L.& Baikie, Iain D.& Martinsen, Ørjan G.& Zhao, Min& Smith, Stephanie…[et al.]. Electrical Potential of Acupuncture Points: Use of a Noncontact Scanning Kelvin Probe. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992481
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-992481