New device to measureme electrical resistance at human acupoints

[Guest guest]

Hi All, & Kevin,

 

Kevin wrote:

> In general you need to be careful with the use of point finders. Some

> can give false positives when too much pressure is applied - which can

> happen when the area is uneven. Otherwise, a point finder can be used

> on any species.

 

See this - just published.

 

It may be too early to judge whether is is any better than old single

probes, but the concept of an 8X8 array of electrodes seems worth

investigating further.

 

Wiegele B, Schober G, Kuder J, Kolb FP, Irnich D. [A new device for

measurements of electrical skin resistance at acupuncture points in

humans.][Article in German] Forsch Komplementarmed. 2006

Aug;13(4):227-32. Epub 2006 Sep 5. Fachbereich Elektrotechnik,

Fachhochschule Augsburg, Deutschland. From an electro-physiological

point of view human skin shows an inhomogeneous pattern regarding

its electrical resistance: in certain areas a decreased electrical

resistance can be observed. It has been postulated that these areas

correspond to acupuncture points. Subsequently, devices have been

developed as detectors for acupuncture points which are used for

diagnosis and treatment in acupuncture. However, most of these

devices are inconsistent: they show a remarkable inaccuracy in their

measurements and are poorly evaluated. Further analyses have shown

that the measuring pens often used are subject to various disturbances

such as pressure, angle of measurement, humidity of the skin, different

thickness of stratum corneum of the skin and external disturbances

such as temperature and humidity in the measuring room. Material and

Methods: We present a new device for standardized measuring of

electrical skin resistance. It consists of a field of 64 electrodes

(measuring array) on a surface of 60 x 60 mm(2) and a distance of 8

mm between electrodes. For a more precise spatial resolution a field of

32 electrodes on a surface of 3.5 x 3.5 mm(2) with a distance of 0.65

mm is available. A high, precise, temporal resolution of electric

potentials in human skin is realized by fast scanning of the electrodes.

Technical details are described. Conclusions: First analyses of collected

data show that reliable and valid measurements are possible. Using this

device in a controlled and blinded study design will help elucidate the

issue of altered skin resistance at acupuncture points and clarify if this

phenomenon is unique at acupuncture points. PMID: 16980770

[PubMed - in process]

 

Best regards,