About the neurobiological foundations of the De-Qi--stimulus-response relation.

In acupunctural reflexotherapy, it is usually stated that no appreciable therapeutic effect is obtained under a certain stimulation level, which is determined by the appearance of a particular sensation known as De-Qi. Given that afference control actions of the central nervous system do not work in this way, but rather adapt, with some peculiarities, to a classical schedule of proportionality between stimulus and response, our aim is to evaluate the extent to which acupunctural stimuli of increasing intensity can also increasingly modify neurophysiological parameters, by focusing on quantification of metameric levels, by an F-wave study and by means of somatosensorial evoked potential in the telencephalus. Twenty-one healthy volunteers were studied; values corresponding to the parameters indicated in a basal situation were taken and both a non-acupunctural point and the classical 4IG point were punctured simply, until the De-Qi sensation was obtained, following which, electrical stimulation was applied.

[The control of somesthesia caused by neuroreflex stimulation: quantification of stimulus response as opposed to energy].

Introduction: In the reflexotherapy of classical acupuncture it is usually claimed that below a certain level of stimulation, which is determined by the appearance of a peculiar sensation known as De-Qi, no appreciable therapeutic effect is obtained. The control exerted by the afferences over the central nervous system, however, do not work in this way, but instead adjust themselves, albeit with certain peculiarities, to a classical pattern of proportionality between stimulus and response. Our aim is, therefore, to evaluate the extent to which increasingly intense acupuncture stimuli can modify neurophysiological parameters in a way that also grows.

Objective assessment of the sympatholytic action of the Nei-Kuan acupoint.

From animal experiments and clinical trials, we can think that acupuncture of Nei-Kuan (EH-6) is effective in the control of some vegetative functions. We have tried to determine the real reach of these assumptions by means of simple quantitative measurement methods, such as detection of cardiac frequency and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the sympathetic electrical response. The experiments were performed on 29 healthy volunteers.

[Modifications of sympathetic tone induced by acupuncture reflex. Sympathetic electrical response and stimulus of 6PC].

Introduction: From certain experimental data obtained by experimental myocardial perfusion and clinical and animal studies, it would seem that this corroborates the finding that puncture of the acupuncture point (Neiguan, 6PC) has an effect on organic vegetative tone.

Objective: We aimed to establish, by means of a simple, conclusive, objective measuring system such as sympathetic electrical response, whether this point had this action and whether its effect was nonspecific or due to activation of a nervous tract subjacent to this point.

Patients And Methods: We assessed the sympathetic electrical response in 29 healthy volunteers in whom basal values were recorded and again after orthodox acupuncture stimulus in 6PC, and compared with data obtained of the effects caused by stimulus of an extra-acupunctural point, of a different acupunctural point of the same channel, of bipolar stimulation of the median nerve at the level of 6PC and with the modifications generated in the response by rest lying down during the period of the experiment.