TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of verum acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture on quantitative EEG and heart rate variability in healthy volunteers
AU - Streitberger, Konrad
AU - Steppan, Jochen
AU - Maier, Christoph
AU - Hill, Holger
AU - Backs, Johannes
AU - Plaschke, Konstanze
PY - 2008/6/1
Y1 - 2008/6/1
N2 - Objectives: The aim of this single-blind randomized crossover study was to evaluate specific effects of manual acupuncture on central and vegetative nervous system activity measured by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and heart rate variability (HRV). Design: Twenty (20) healthy volunteers (mean: 25.2 ± 3.6 years) were monitored simultaneously using a qEEG system and a 12-channel electrocardiogram recorder during verum acupuncture (VA) at acupuncture point Large Intestine 4 (Hegu) (LI4) or placebo acupuncture (PA) at a sham point. Results: In the EEG conduction of the occipital area, needle stimulation in VA increased α1-frequency significantly, and the ratio α1/θ was shifted to the benefit of α1 over all electrodes. The HRV parameters showed a significant increase of the low frequency/high frequency (HF) ratio during the first minute of stimulation in VA, indicating an initial increase of sympathetic activation. However, an increase of HF power in the minute after stimulation followed by a decrease in heart rate suggests delayed vagal activation. De qi (a sensation that is typical of acupuncture needling) occurred in 16 subjects during VA and in 9 volunteers during PA (80% versus 45%). Conclusions: Manual stimulation on LI4 seems to lead to specific changes in α EEG-frequency and in HRV parameters. A linear relationship between the HRV parameters and the α EEG band might point to a specific modulation of cerebral function by vegetative effects during acupuncture.
AB - Objectives: The aim of this single-blind randomized crossover study was to evaluate specific effects of manual acupuncture on central and vegetative nervous system activity measured by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and heart rate variability (HRV). Design: Twenty (20) healthy volunteers (mean: 25.2 ± 3.6 years) were monitored simultaneously using a qEEG system and a 12-channel electrocardiogram recorder during verum acupuncture (VA) at acupuncture point Large Intestine 4 (Hegu) (LI4) or placebo acupuncture (PA) at a sham point. Results: In the EEG conduction of the occipital area, needle stimulation in VA increased α1-frequency significantly, and the ratio α1/θ was shifted to the benefit of α1 over all electrodes. The HRV parameters showed a significant increase of the low frequency/high frequency (HF) ratio during the first minute of stimulation in VA, indicating an initial increase of sympathetic activation. However, an increase of HF power in the minute after stimulation followed by a decrease in heart rate suggests delayed vagal activation. De qi (a sensation that is typical of acupuncture needling) occurred in 16 subjects during VA and in 9 volunteers during PA (80% versus 45%). Conclusions: Manual stimulation on LI4 seems to lead to specific changes in α EEG-frequency and in HRV parameters. A linear relationship between the HRV parameters and the α EEG band might point to a specific modulation of cerebral function by vegetative effects during acupuncture.
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U2 - 10.1089/acm.2007.0552
DO - 10.1089/acm.2007.0552
M3 - Article
C2 - 18537467
AN - SCOPUS:45749143185
SN - 1075-5535
VL - 14
SP - 505
EP - 513
JO - Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
JF - Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
IS - 5
ER -