Pilot study of blood perfusion coherence along the meridian in forearm

Abstract

BackgroundMany studies have explored the relationship between skin microcirculation and meridian activation. However, few studies have examined blood perfusion coherence along the meridians, and other studies have suggested that the skin vasodilator response relates to age. This study investigated blood perfusion coherence characteristics along the meridian of the forearm in healthy volunteers.MethodsA total of 15 young subjects (25.53 ± 2.20) and 15 middle-aged subjects (50.07 ± 3.37) were recruited for this study. Before experiments, each subject was placed in a temperature-controlled room for 60 min. Skin blood perfusion from five points was recorded simultaneously using a full-field laser perfusion imager before and after inflatable occlusion. The five points comprised three points located on the pericardium meridian, and two points from different locations. Coherence analysis between these points was performed at different frequency intervals from 0.0095 to 2 Hz.ResultsIn young subjects, the coherence value was unchanged before and after occlusion, and there was no significant difference in coherence value between meridian-meridian points (M-M) and meridian-parameridian points (M-P). In middle-aged subjects, the coherence value increased significantly in both M-M and M-P at frequency intervals of 0.14-0.4 Hz, 0.4-1.6 Hz, and 1.6-2 Hz. However, there was no significant difference in coherence values between M-M and M-P.ConclusionsInflatable occlusion can increase middle-aged subjects’ blood perfusion coherence value of the forearm. However, there is no specificity in meridian location.

Changes of Blood Flux at BL21 and Points along BL Meridian Resulted from Acupuncture or Moxibustion: Case Cross Design Study

“…Coherence analysis is a method to estimate the correlation of the signals on different frequencies, which can be used for analysis correlation of two blood flux signals in frequency domain [ 24 – 26 ]. In the previous study, the coherence analysis along PC meridian was carried out in different aged human before and after 30 mmHg inflating occlusion [ 27 ]. Further study indicated that coherence analysis might be used to assess microcirculatory changes at different ages [ 28 ] and oral load different cold water [ 29 ].…”

Response of Blood Perfusion at ST 36 Acupoint after Drinking Cold Glucose or Saline Injection

“…Coherence analysis is a method to analysis correlation of two blood flux signals in frequency domain [42]. In previous study, we observed that 30 mmHg inflating occlusion resulted in change of coherence values in middle-aged subjects in special frequency bands; however, the same stimulus did not change the coherence value in young-aged subjects [43] in the same band. Further study indicated that coherence analysis might provide a potential noninvasive method to assess microcirculatory changes in different ages [44].…”

Specificity for the correlation between the body surface and viscera in the pathological state of COPD: A prospective, controlled, and assessor-blinded trial

“…With references to similar studies ( Hsiu et al, 2007 ; Wang et al, 2013 ; Jo and Kim, 2016 ) in this field and our previously published study ( Lou et al, 2020 ), the establishment of examination conditions was described in detail as follows. One week before examinations, all subjects refrained from medications that could affect microcirculation and vasoreactivity for 1 week.…”