9 Scientific Research
KID-4P-6
KID-5Du-4
KID-6ST-36Pericardium channelpositive effect of EA at P-5 and P-6, especially for myocardial
ischaemia due to coronary heart disease. Li et al, Auton Neu-
rosci 2001; Li et al, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Phys-
iol 2002; Tjen-A-Looi et al, Auton Neurosci 2003
In a US study 17 healthy subjects were subjected to weekly
bicycle training for 3–4 weeks. Subjects were asked to perform
the training with and without electro-acupuncture (EA) at P-5,
P-6, L.I.-4, L.I.-5, L.I.-6, L.I.-7, G.B.-37, G.B.-38and G.B.-39.
In 70% of subjects, EA at points on the Pericardium and Large
Intestine channels led to an increase in maximal workload with
decreased blood pressure. Points on the Gall Bladder channel
had no effect. Further trials may investigate the application of
these points in the treatment of hypertension induced by exercise
stress. Li et al, Clin Auton Res 2004P-22 cun Axillary foldP-2A Chinese experimental trial (n100) examined cardiac
function before and during acupuncture at P-2, P-3, P-4and P-6
as well as at control points (some arbitrary points and G.B.-37) in
patients with coronary heart disease. In contrast to the control
points the verum points had an effect – even if only a minor one –
on the measured parameters (PEP, LVET, P/L, HI, SV, CO, ST
segment and T wave of ECG). You et al, Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 1993
P-3P-2
P-4P-2P-7 P-5
3 cunP-5An earlier Chinese trial interpreted the synchronising effect
of electro-acupuncture at P-5on EEG activity as having a home-
ostatic effect on the whole body. Huang et al, Zhen Ci Yan
Jiu 1990
Electro-acupuncture at P-5improved the ST segment of ECG in
rabbits with induced acute myocardial infarction. Cao et al,
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 1990
An earlier Chinese experimental trial (n10) found that elec-
tro-acupuncture at P-5and P-6shortened sino-atrial conduction
in healthy subjects and increased frequency at the sinus node
(positive chronotropic and bathmotropic effect). Xi et al,
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1993
Previous work of the team led by Li and Tjen-A-Looi suggests
that the inhibitory effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the
pressor reflex induced by bradykinin (BK) applied to the gall-
bladder is in part due to the activation of opioid receptors most
likely located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM). This
trial investigated the specific opioid receptor subtypes and neu-
rotransmitters responsible for this inhibition. Therefore BK was
applied to the gallbladder of anaesthetised cats to induce an
increase of arterial blood pressure. It was found that applying
EA at P-5 and P-6 activated the mu and delta opioid receptors
located in the rVLM, thus preventing a rise of the arterial blood
pressure for a longer period of time through the activating influ-
ence of the splanchnic nerve (for example due to stretching of
the gallbladder or stomach). This experiment substantiated theP-7 P-6P-6P-2; P-5; Du-20; Du-14; HE-7; LIV-3; L.I.-4; ST-36
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded trial (n110) investigated the effect of acupressure
bands at P-6on nausea and vomiting during spinal anaesthe-
sia for caesarean delivery. The reduction and occurrence of
nausea (64% vs 71%) and vomiting (22% vs 27%) was not sig-
nificant. Ho et al, Anesth Analg 2006
A US prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-
blinded trial (n94) investigated the effect of acupressure
bands at P-6on the occurrence of nausea and vomiting during
caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia. There was no
statistically significant difference between the active and sham
control groups in the incidence of intraoperative nausea (30% vs
43%), postoperative nausea (23% vs 41%), intraoperative vom-
iting (13% vs 9%), postoperative vomiting (26% vs 34%), intra-
operative antiemetic requirement (23% vs 18%), postoperative
antiemetic requirement (34% vs 39%), complete intraoperative
response (55% vs 57%) or complete postoperative response
(51% vs 34%). These results did not reach the selected level of
significance. There were also no significant differences between
the groups in nausea scores, number of vomiting episodes and
patient satisfaction. Habib et al, Anesth. Analg 2006
A Swedish prospective, randomised placebo-controlled experi-
mental double-blinded trial (n60) investigated the effect of
acupressure at P-6on nausea induced by eccentric rotation.
Mean time to nausea was significantly the longest in the P-6
group (352 seconds), compared to the placebo-acupressure
group (280 seconds) and the untreated control group (151 sec-
onds). Alkaissi et al, Can J Anaesth 2005.
A Turkish prospective randomised controlled non-blinded trial
(n90) investigated the effect of transcutaneous electrical acu-
point stimulation (TEAS) at P-6and Ren-13compared to
ondansetron on postoperative nausea following paediatric