Effect of acupuncture on cardiopulmonary function

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between acupuncture and cardiopulmonary function in healthy people.

Subjects and methods: Healthy male volunteers were divided into 3 groups, 16 of persons each Group 1 was treated with acupuncture at points Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36): Group 2 was treated with acupuncture at non-acupoints, and Group 3 was taken as control. The effects of resting cardiopulmonary functions were measured with gas analysis system. The resting heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were recorded over a thirty-minute period at intervals of five minutes, 15 minutes, and 25 minutes. Electroacupuncture was given to Groups 1 and 2. The analysis of variance and t test were used in data analysis.

Results: In the acupuncture groups, resting heart rate and carbon dioxide production decreased (P < 0.05) and oxygen consumption also decreased slightly, although it was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that acupuncture can decrease the resting heart rate and carbon dioxide production, thus lowering the metabolic rate.