Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Valentini, J.
Transkontinentale Teleakupunktur zwischen Peking und Graz: Ein Beitrag zur Nadel- und Laserakupunkturforschung.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Graz Medical University; 2010. pp.77.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Litscher Gerhard
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- BACKGROUND: Telemedicine includes the application of information- and communication technologies which can bridge a local and temporal gap between doctor and patient. In this context telesurgery and also teleanesthesiology have already been realized. However, teleacupuncture has not yet been performed. METHODS: The following pilot study occurred within a scientific foreign stay in Beijing, China. 24-hour ECG (electrocardiogram) measurements were recorded at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS). The "raw ECG" was transmitted over a distance of 7,650 km by means of a custom broadband internet connection to the TCM Research Center of the Medical University of Graz (http://tcm-graz.at). The analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was performed immediately in the frequency and in the time domain in order to prove possible therapeutic effects of acupuncture. The acupuncturist in Beijing received an instant feedback about the findings and the results of the therapy could be demonstrated objectively. The selection of patients focused on "stress diseases". Thereby patients with fatigue syndrome or burnout syndrome were selected. According to TCM they presented the diagnosis of kidney-qi deficiency or liver-qi stagnation. In a therapy cycle implying ten acupuncture treatments laser acupuncture, needle acupuncture and a combination of both methods have been used. RESULTS: Exemplarily for this pilot project two case reports are presented. The first one deals with the analysis of HRV, whereas the second case report demonstrates the evaluation of the questionnaires. Therefore possible effects of acupuncture can be exposed objectively as well as subjectively. CONCLUSION: The following work shows the first worldwide realization of transcontinental teleacupuncture between Beijing, China and Graz, Austria. In the near future teleacupuncture can be used almost without time delay between TCM experts around the world to obtain rising efficiency in research as well as in teaching. Therefore teleacupuncture has led to an important contribution in quality control and performance maintenance in traditional Chinese medicine.