Effects of different times of pressure stimulation to the acupuncture point on the excitability of spinal nerve function.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of different duration of pressure stimulation to the acupuncture points on spinal motor nerve function were clarified, and the effectiveness of Acupoint Stimulated Physical Therapy (ASPT) for short periods of time was examined. The mean age of the subjects was 21.2 ± 11 years, and the non-dominant upper limb was the subject of the study. An ASPT suppression technique to the LU5 was performed and F waves were measured from the Abductor pollicis brevis. ASPT was performed for 30 and 60 seconds, and F waves were measured six times: at rest, during ASPT, just after ASPT (post0) and 5 minutes intervals up to 15 minutes later (post5, post10, post15). As a result, in the 60-second pressure stimulus, there was a significant decrease after post10 compared to during ASPT. In addition, a comparison of the relative values of 30-second and 60-second pressure stimulation showed a significant increase in the 60-second trial compared to the 30-second trial during the ASPT, post10, and post15. These results indicate that 60 seconds of pressure stimulation increases the excitability of spinal motor nerve function during the ASPT and has an inhibitory effect just after the ASPT. The ASPT suppression technique, a 60-second pressure stimulus to the LU5, was found to be useful in reducing spinal motor nerve functional excitability.