Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Ganglbauer, V.
Herzratenvariabilität (HRV) - Stimulationseffekte am Punkt Yintang.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Graz Medical University; 2010. pp.89.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Litscher Gerhard
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- Abstract:
- Abstract Background: The heart rate variability (HRV) and especially the LF/HF (low frequency/high frequency) ratio become more and more important as a specific indicator for a well-balanced autonomic nervous system in different disciplines of medicine. Acupuncture and acupressure seem to have positive effects on these parameters and the proper function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The main purpose of this randomized cross-over study was to investigate the specific effects of acupuncture and acupressure on the mean heart rate, the HRV and particularly on the LF/HF ratio. Methods: In the context of a medical traineeship at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine twenty-five healthy volunteers (12 female, 13 male; mean age +/- SD: 26.5 +/- 8.6 years) underwent three procedures consisting of acupuncture on extrapoint 1 (Yintang), acupressure on the same point and placebo acupuncture at a sham point each over 10 minutes. The sequence of the three methods was randomized. All volunteers were monitored over a period of 20 minutes using an electrocardiogram recorder (Medilog AR12). The data before, during and after the three conditions were measured and statistically analyzed. Results: The mean heart rate decreased significantly during verum acupuncture and acupressure on Yintang (p =< 0.001). The changes during acupuncture on the sham point were also significant (p = 0.002). Acupressure reduced the LF/HF ratio in all volunteers noticeably. A division into gender showed that the LF/HF ratio tended to decrease in both groups, but especially the females showed an obvious reduction of the LF/HF ratio during and after acupressure. Conclusion: Acupuncture but especially acupressure reduced the LF/HF ratio. This effect was more pronounced in females and could be interpreted as an expression of growing vagal activity during acupressure.