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. 2011:2011:543291.
doi: 10.1155/2011/543291. Epub 2010 Sep 23.

Comparative effects of acupressure at local and distal acupuncture points on pain conditions and autonomic function in females with chronic neck pain

Takako Matsubara  1 , Young-Chang P Arai, Yukiko Shiro, Kazuhiro Shimo, Makoto Nishihara, Jun Sato, Takahiro Ushida
Affiliations

Comparative effects of acupressure at local and distal acupuncture points on pain conditions and autonomic function in females with chronic neck pain

Takako Matsubara et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011.

Abstract

Acupressure on local and distal acupuncture points might result in sedation and relaxation, thereby reducing chronic neck pain. The aim was to investigate the effect of acupressure at local (LP) and distal acupuncture points (DP) in females with chronic neck pain. Thirty-three females were assigned to three groups: the control group did not receive any stimuli, the LP group received acupressure at local acupuncture points, GB 21, SI 14 and SI 15, and the DP group received acupressure at distal acupuncture points, LI 4, LI 10 and LI 11. Verbal rating scale (VRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), muscle hardness (MH), salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) values and satisfaction due to acupressure were assessed. VRS, NDI, STAI and MH values decreased after acupressure in the LP and the DP group. HR decreased and the power of high frequency (HF) component of HRV increased after acupressure in only the LP group. Although acupressure on not only the LP but also the DP significantly improved pain conditions, acupressure on only the LP affected the autonomic nervous system while acupuncture points per se have different physical effects according to location.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Local acupuncture points/tender points. “Jianjing” (GB 21) is located at the highest point on the shoulder and at the midpoint of the line which connects the prominent vertebra and the acromion. “Jianwaishu” (SI 14) is located directly above the superior angle of scapula, at 5-6 cm lateral from the posterior midline and below the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra. “Jianzhongshu” (SI 15) is located on the back, at 3-4 cm lateral from the posterior midline and below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distal acupuncture point. “Hegu” (LI 4) is the most important analgesic point in the body and is intensively stimulated in all painful conditions and is located on the highest point of the adductor pollicis muscle with the thumb and index finger adducted. “Shousanli” (LI 10) is located on the radial side of the dorsal surface of the forearm at about 3 cm below the lateral transverse elbow crease and between the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis. “Quchi” (LI 11) is located on the end of the lateral transverse elbow crease at the middle of the connection between the biceps tendon and the lateral epicondylus of the humerus.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in pain intensity (VRS: verbal rating scale). ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups. * significantly different from pre-treatment in the DP group (P < .05). ** significantly different from pretreatment in the LP group (P < .01). † significantly different from control group in the DP group (P < .05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in pain-associated anxiety (STAI-I: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I). ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups. ** significantly different from pre-treatment in the LP and the DP groups (P < .01).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in muscle hardness (MH). ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups. * significantly different from pre-treatment in the DP group (P < .05). ** significantly different from pre-treatment in the LP group (P < .01).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Changes in pain-associated disability (NDI:Neck Disability Index). ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups. * significantly different from pre-treatment in the DP group (P < .05). ** significantly different from pre-treatment in the LP group (p < .01). † significantly different from control group in the DP group (P < .05).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Changes in heart rate (HR). ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups. * significantly different from pre-treatment in the LP group (P < .05).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Changes in the low-frequency (LF) component of heart rate variability. ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Changes in the high-frequency (HF) component of heart rate variability. ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups. * significantly different from pre-treatment in the LP group (P < .05).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Changes in the LF/HF ratio (LF/HF) of heart rate variability. ○: control group. ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Changes in satisfaction due to treatment (VRS: verbal rating scale). ■: local acupuncture point (LP) group. □: distal acupuncture point (DP) group. Values are presented as mean. SD represented with error bars in the LP and the DP groups.
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