Effects of verum acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture on quantitative EEG and heart rate variability in healthy volunteers

Streitberger, Konrad; Steppan, Jochen; Maier, Christoph; Hill, Holger; Backs, Johannes; Plaschke, Konstanze (2008). Effects of verum acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture on quantitative EEG and heart rate variability in healthy volunteers. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 14(5), pp. 505-13. Larchmont, N.Y.: Mary Ann Liebert 10.1089/acm.2007.0552

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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 alpha1-frequency significantly, and the ratio alpha1/theta was shifted to the benefit of alpha1 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 alpha EEG-frequency and in HRV parameters. A linear relationship between the HRV parameters and the alpha EEG band might point to a specific modulation of cerebral function by vegetative effects during acupuncture.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesiology (DINA) > Clinic and Policlinic for Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy
UniBE Contributor:	Streitberger, Konrad Markus
ISSN:	1075-5535
ISBN:	18537467
Publisher:	Mary Ann Liebert
Language:	English
Submitter:	Jeannie Wurz
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 15:03
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:19
Publisher DOI:	10.1089/acm.2007.0552
PubMed ID:	18537467
Web of Science ID:	000257511800011
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/27293 (FactScience: 105922)