12 HIGH-TECH LASER ACUPUNCTURE RESEARCH

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. S4-S5
Author(s):  
G. Litscher
Keyword(s):  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Acupuncture Research

scholarly journals Ten Years Evidence-Based High-Tech Acupuncture Part 3: A Short Review of Animal Experiments

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Litscher
Keyword(s):  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Spectral Edge Frequency ◽  
Spectral Edge ◽  
Acupuncture Research ◽  
Medical University

High-tech acupuncture research has been performed for 10 years at the Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the Medical University of Graz. This article as a part of a series comprises animal experiments in the field of needle and laser acupuncture. The investigations presented in this article were performed in pigs, dogs and sheep. In all studies sedative stimulation effects of the acupoint Yintang are described using different measurement parameters (EEG-bispectral index, EEG spectral edge frequency and metabolic parameters).

scholarly journals The Problem of Metal Needles in Acupuncture-fMRI Studies

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Beissner ◽  
Ulrike Nöth ◽  
Thomas Schockert
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
Rf Heating ◽  
Rf Coil ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Transmitter Coil ◽  
Acupuncture Research ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Metal Needle

Acupuncture is a therapy based on sensory stimulation of the human body by means of metal needles. The exact underlying mechanisms of acupuncture have not been clarified so far. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become an important tool in acupuncture research. Standard acupuncture needles, which are made of ferromagnetic steel, however, are problematic in acupuncture-fMRI studies for several reasons, such as attraction by the scanner's magnetic field, significant image distortions and signal-dropouts, when positioned close to the head or even heating due to absorption of radio frequency (RF). The aim of this study was to compare two novel types of acupuncture needles with a standard needle for their effect on MRI image quality. The standard needle severely reduced image quality, when located inside the RF coil. The nonferromagnetic metal needle may pose a risk due to RF heating, while the plastic needle has a significantly larger diameter. In conclusion, our recommendations are: (1) standard needles should not be used in MRI; (2) Nonferromagnetic metal needles seem to be the best choice for acupoints outside of the transmitter coil; and (3) only plastic needles are suited for points inside the coil. Laser acupuncture may be a safe alternative, too.

scholarly journals Ten Years Evidence-Based High-Tech Acupuncture–A Short Review of Centrally Measured Effects (Part II)

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Litscher
Keyword(s):  
Brain Function ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Short Review ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Acupuncture Research ◽  
Medical University ◽  
First Time

The assessment of acupuncture-induced effects on brain function is crucial. Ultrasound-assisted brain function monitoring and bioelectrical methods as well as near infrared spectroscopic procedures and functional magnetic resonance investigations form the basis for the latest scientific examination methods for acupuncture research. The laserneedle acupuncture, which was examined scientifically for the first time in Graz, represents a new painless and non-invasive acupuncture method. In this way, individual combinations of acupuncture points can be stimulated simultaneously according to traditional Chinese medicine. In the context of double-blind studies, effects in the brain could be demonstrated in a reproducible manner for the first time. This second part of the short review article summarizes some of the centrally measured effects of acupuncture obtained at the Medical University of Graz within the last 10 years.

scholarly journals Sino-European Transcontinental Basic and Clinical High-Tech Acupuncture Studies—Part 3: Violet Laser Stimulation in Anesthetized Rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yan Gao ◽  
Gerhard Litscher ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Bing Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Laser Stimulation ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Anesthetized Rats ◽  
Stimulation Of

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of violet laser stimulation on three acupuncture points in anesthetized rats and to test the hypothesis that violet laser light can modulate neurovegetative parameters like heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Recordings were performed in 10 male anesthetized rats under three conditions in Beijing, and monitored with equipment from Graz, where also data analysis was performed. For stimulation a violet laser (emitted wavelength 405 nm, laser output 1 mW, continuous mode) was used. The electrocardiograms were recorded by an HRV Medilog AR12 system during laser acupuncture stimulation of the head, ear, and body (Baihui, “heart” ear acupoint, Zusanli). HR changed significantly only during (P=0.013) and after (P=0.038) stimulation at Baihui. Total HRV and the low frequency/high frequency ratio showed insignificant changes. There was an insignificant decrease in MAP after stimulation of Baihui acupoint. Violet laser stimulation offers a method to induce acute effects in HR and HRV in rats. Although the precise mechanism of this effect remains to be determined, alterations are significant. Violet laser stimulation on the Baihui acupoint could readily be translated to clinical studies.

scholarly journals Sino-European Transcontinental Basic and Clinical High-Tech Acupuncture Studies—Part 1: Auricular Acupuncture Increases Heart Rate Variability in Anesthetized Rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yan Gao ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Gerhard Litscher
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Auricular Acupuncture ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Anesthetized Rats ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Acupuncture Research ◽  
Beijing China

Evidence-based research concerning the effects of high-tech acupuncture on autonomic function was performed by two research teams from China and Austria. This study describes the first transcontinental teleacupuncture measurements in animals. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) recordings in 10 male Sprague-Dawley anesthetized rats were performed under stable conditions in Beijing, China, and the data analysis was completed in Graz, Austria. The electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded by an HRV Medilog AR12 system during acupuncture of the ear and body (PC6 Neiguan, CV12 Zhongwan, ST36 Zusanli). The data were analyzed using specially adapted novel Austrian software. HR did not change significantly during any acupuncture stimulation in anesthetized rats (ear acupuncture, PC6, CV12, or ST36). Total HRV only changed significantly(P=0.025)during auricular acupuncture (acupoint heart). The low-frequency/high-frequency ratio parameter decreased significantly(P=0.03)during stimulation of ST36. This change was based on intensification of the related mechanism of blood pressure regulation that has been demonstrated in previous studies in humans. Modernization of acupuncture research performed as a collaboration between China and Austria has also been demonstrated.

High-Tech Laser Acupuncture is Chinese Medicine

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Litscher
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
High Tech
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