The suppression of mental sweating by acupuncture stimulation, with special reference to the stimulation of bilateral lower legs at different frequencies.

Abstract

The effects of bilateral acupuncture stimulation on the sweating in the palm and the sole were compared with the effects of unilateral stimulation previously reported. In young healthy males, right and left Zusanli acupoints were stimulated simultaneously for 20 min at 5 Hz or 100 Hz. Sweating was induced by mental arithmetic for 2 min, and sweat rate and the rate of sweat expulsion were averaged. Sweat rate was reduced by acupuncture stimulation, but the reduction was greater at 5 Hz than at 100 Hz. The reduction was observed during 30 min of the recovery as well as during the stimulation. The reduction of sweat rate was greater on the sole than on the palm when stimulated at 5 Hz. The rate of sweat expulsion was reduced by the stimulation at 5 Hz, but not at 100 Hz. At 5 Hz, the reduction was observed during 30 min of the recovery. The results confirm our previous hypothesis that the acupuncture stimulation at 5Hz affects a higher center for mental sweating to suppress the rhythm generation, whereas that at 100 Hz affects a lower center, possibly the spinal cord, to modify the efferent activity. The results indicate that the central suppression by acupuncture stimulation is prolonged by bilateral stimulation. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S235 (2004)]