Continuous Auricular Electroacupuncture Can Significantly Improve Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression: First Results from a Transcontinental Study

Xian, Shi; Litscher, Gerhard; Wang, Huanhuan; Wang, Lu; Zhao, Zengkai; Litscher, Daniela; Jing-qiao, Tao; Gaischek, Ingrid; Sheng, Zemin

doi:10.1155/2013/894096

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The results of our present study are in accordance with previous investigations [15]. All clinical scores (HAM-A, AIS, and HRSD) showed a significant improvement already after 6 TA/BA and BA sessions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

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Can Tongue Acupuncture Enhance Body Acupuncture? First Results from Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression

Xian¹,

Wang²,

Wang

et al. 2014

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Tongue acupuncture (TA) is a method which is not used in western medicine and even in China it is applied very rarely in clinical practice. This study aimed at investigating whether additional TA can improve the efficacy of body acupuncture (BA) in patients with depression. Twenty patients with a mean age of ± SD of 42.9 ± 11.2 years were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10 patients each), one group receiving BA (Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Neiguan, Shenting, Yintang, and Baihui) and the other receiving BA and TA (Liver, Heart, and Brain). The quantitative and qualitative outcome measures were heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and different clinical scores. We found that in both groups all scores and HR improved significantly, whereas HRV increased partly significantly. It seems that TA can enhance acute and treatment effects of BA in patients with depression. The investigation of de qi sensation in TA needs further attention.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Detailed information on this important topic can be found in the discussion section of one of our previous publications published recently [15]. As stated in that article, one important way to stop this cost explosion in China and Europe is through increased research efforts in this field.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Tongue Acupuncture Enhance Body Acupuncture? First Results from Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression

Xian¹,

Wang²,

Wang

et al. 2014

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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“…26 These imaging measurements confirmed the notion that auricular stimulation results in broad signaling (modulation) of the ANS. Other auricular stimulation studies for postoperative pain 27 and depression 28 have been associated with changes in HRV consistent with the present study's findings. In particular, AEA at the Shen Men and Point Zero ear points resulted in increased HF-HRV (parasympathetic) activity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Intermittent 96-Hour Auricular Electroacupuncture for Hot Flashes in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Study

Rich

Porter

Ricks-Santi

et al. 2017

Medical Acupuncture

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The hot flash is a common vasomotor disorder that causes distress in menopausal women and that can be debilitating in men with prostate cancer who are treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The utility of auricular electroacupuncture (AEA) was tested exclusively for a small cohort of men with ADT-induced vasomotor symptoms while the men underwent a course of curative radiotherapy. Prior to and during radiotherapy treatment, men with vasomotor symptoms were given repeated questionnaires regarding severity and frequency of hot flashes, quality of life (QoL), and sleep over a 6-week span of an AEA protocol. Each subject's heart rate variability (HRV) was obtained repeatedly every week in an ambulatory setting with a BlueCardio device (BlueCardio, Miami, FL). The AEA intervention was given with a Neurova device (Nunka Corporation, CM Wellness Clinic, Pompano Beach, FL) that used three needles at Master points Sympathetic,, and Point Zero, which were located precisely with a bipolar point finder. Intermittent microcurrent stimulation was given every other week for 96 hours, using a cyclic programmed output of 2 hours on and 2 hours off. Of 10 men completing the 6-week protocol, all responded with significantly lower frequency, duration, and severity of vasomotor symptoms; QoL and sleep scores improved significantly. The HRV analysis showed significantly lower low-frequency/high-frequency power ratios in each individual, compared to baseline, that were consistent with the subjective responses. Vasomotor disturbance, caused by gender hormone withdrawal-either naturally or in patients treated with ADT, as in this study-is a well-defined neurophysiologic condition. This disorder is a constellation of findings that reflect autonomic disturbances of excessive sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic activity. AEA intervention with the Neurova device is simple to administer, is well-tolerated, and appears to be effective for restoring autonomic balance. Further evaluation of AEA for vasomotor disturbances could provide more insight into the mechanisms of AEA neuromodulation and potentially lead to approaches for treating not only these symptoms but also other neurologic conditions with components of autonomic disturbances.

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“…Auricular electroacupuncture (AEA) is a method in which weak electrical stimulation is performed via fine acupuncture needles inserted into acupoints in the auricula. It has been reported to treat obesity and depression in clinic [ 24 , 25 ]. However, little is known whether AEA is effective in treating gastric dysfunctions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ameliorating Effects of Auricular Electroacupuncture on Rectal Distention-Induced Gastric Dysrhythmias in Rats

2015

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Gastric slow waves (GSW) are known to regulate gastric motility and are impaired with rectal distention (RD). Electroacupuncture (EA) at body acupoints, such as ST 36, has been shown to improve gastric dysrhythmias; however, little is known about the possible effects of auricular electroacupuncture (AEA) on GSW. To study effects and possible mechanisms of AEA on RD-induced gastric dysrhythmias in rats, ten male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats implanted with gastric serosal electrodes were studied in two different experiments in fed state. Four sessions were performed in experiment 1 as follows: control (RD, no stimulation), RD+AEA, RD+EA at body points and RD+sham AEA. Two sessions were included in experiment 2 to study mechanisms of AEA: RD + atropine and RD + atropine + AEA. It was found that 1) RD significantly decreased the percentage of normal GSW from 89.8±3.5% to 76.0±3.3% (P<0.05); 2) AEA increased the percentage of normal GSW during RD to 94.0±2.1% (P<0.05 vs. RD) via a reduction in the percentages of tachygastria and arrhythmia (P<0.05 vs. RD); 3) atropine blocked the ameliorating effect of AEA on RD-induced gastric dysrhythmias. Our results demonstrated that RD induces gastric dysrhythmias in fed state in rats. AEA improves RD-induced gastric dysrhythmias via the vagal pathway. AEA may have a therapeutic potential in treating gastric dysrhythmias.

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Continuous Auricular Electroacupuncture Can Significantly Improve Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression: First Results from a Transcontinental Study

Cited by 12 publications

References 24 publications

Can Tongue Acupuncture Enhance Body Acupuncture? First Results from Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression

Can Tongue Acupuncture Enhance Body Acupuncture? First Results from Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression

Intermittent 96-Hour Auricular Electroacupuncture for Hot Flashes in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Study

Ameliorating Effects of Auricular Electroacupuncture on Rectal Distention-Induced Gastric Dysrhythmias in Rats

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