Effects of electroacupuncture at Point Neiguan on cardiovascular functions in humans

  AIM  To investigate changes of cardiovascular function after electroacupuncture (EA) treatment in healthy volunteers.

  METHODS  Twenty healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to a Control group (no electroacupuncture), an Acupoint group (bilateral EA at Point Neiguan (PC6) for 30 min) and a Non-acupoint group (bilateral EA at a non-acupoint of both shoulders). Heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were measured.

  RESULTS  Heart rate variability analysis revealed that compared with those in the Control group and the Non-acupoint group, EA at PC6 decreased high-frequency ranges of R-R interval and increased low-frequency ranges of R-R interval, indicating an elevated heart sympathetic tone. There was an increasing trend in heart rate, SV and CO, but without significant differences.

  CONCLUSION  EA treatment at Neiguan is highly effective in activating peripheral sympathetic nervous system.