2022 Volume 59 Issue 3 Pages 320-326
Epipharyngeal abrasive therapy (EAT) is one of the treatments for chronic epipharyngitis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of EAT on autonomic function. Heart rate variability analysis was performed on the electrocardiogram records of 27 cases. EAT was classified into four events: resting, intranasal examination, nasal abrasing, and oral abrasing. Four items, HR, CVRR, ccv HF, and L/H, were measured during each of the four events and statistically examined. HR decreased and ccv HF increased during nasal abrasing. HR and CVRR increased during oral abrasing. The results suggest that EAT affecteds heart rate variability, and stimulateds parasympathetic nerves during nasal abrasing, and stimulateds both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves during oral abrasing induceing the pharyngeal reflex. EAT was thoughtappears to activate autonomic function by reciprocal excitabilitytory and inhibitory stimulation.
