Do Changes in Electrical Skin Resistance of Acupuncture Points Reflect Menstrual Pain? A Comparative Study in Healthy Volunteers and Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients

Abstract

Electrical skin resistance (ESR) measurements were performed with a four-electrode impedance detector at 10 points bilaterally on the first day of and the third day after menstruation in 48 healthy volunteers and 46 primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients, to assess whether ESR changes of acupuncture points can reflect menstrual pain or not. The results showed statistical reductions in ESR imbalance ratio between left and right side that were detected at SP8 (Diji) and GB39 (Xuanzhong) (P < 0.05), and a statistical increase was detected at SP6 (Sanyinjiao) (P = 0.05) on the first day of menstruation compared with those values on the third day after menstruation in dysmenorrhea group. No significant differences were detected at other points within and between two groups (P > 0.05). This study showed that the imbalance of ESR at uterine-relevant points in PD patients is not significantly different from those of healthy women on both the 1st day of and the 3rd day after menstruation. The ESR imbalance ratio of certain points can either be lower or higher during menstruation in PD patients. The ESR property of acupuncture points needs to be investigated in further clinical trials with appropriate points, diseases, larger sample sizes, and optimal device.

Influence of the Intensity, Components, and Spreading of the Deqi Sensation on the Analgesic Effect of SP6 Needling in Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial

“…One study reported that related acupoints were more sensitive in patients with pathological conditions [66]. Given that SP6 is associated with primary dysmenorrhea, when dysmenorrhea occurs, changes in skin resistance and skin temperature may be a manifestation of acupoint sensitisation [67, 68]. This acupoint sensitisation renders deqi more likely.…”

Immediate Analgesic Effect of Perpendicular Needling or Transverse Needling at SP 6 in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Pilot Study

“…31 Second, SP 6 had been found to be more sensitive during dysmenorrhea. 32,33 Third, SP 6 is good for treating PD caused by the Cold-Damp Stagnation pattern, 34 given that, for a different pattern, a therapist should use different points 7,35 according to TCM theory. Finally, SP 6 is the intersecting point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels, 36 and it regulates and harmonizes Qi and Blood in the meridians to improve nourishment of Chong Mai (the Thoroughfare Vessel) and Ren Mai (the Conception Vessel) as well as the Uterus.…”

A Glance at the Acupuncture Point from the Perspective of Current Technology

“…The alterations in the electrical skin resistance (ESR) at acupuncture points may reflect the physiological and pathological conditions in the human body [18]- [20]. Comparative studies of acupuncture points in healthy individuals and patients may explain the electrodermal properties of acupuncture points.…”

“…She et al [18], performed bilateral ESR measurements at 10 pre-determined acupuncture points in 48 healthy volunteers and 46 patients with primary dysmenorrhea on the first day of menstruation and at the third day after menstruation. While the ESR measurements of the two groups were similar, it was found that ESR measurements of primary dysmenorrhea patients were either higher or lower during menstruation, showing that menstruation changes the ESR of primary dysmenorrhea patients.…”

“…From the 10 acupuncture points studied in this study, there was a significant change in the imbalance ratio at Sp6, GB39 and Sp8, which are the points that are frequently used for dysmenorrhea in clinical applications [18] [19]. Some devices have been developed by utilizing the ESR changes at the acupuncture point.…”