Electroacupuncture effect at the LI 4 Hegu point on the plasma β-endorphin level of healthy subjects

1st Physics and Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry Symposium

物理学;医药卫生

Setiawardhani, A.L.^1 ; Srilestari, A.^1 ; Simadibrata, C.^1

Department of Medical Acupunture, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia^1

关键词: Beta endorphins;    Control groups;    ELISA methods;    Healthy subjects;    Low-frequency;    Mechanism of action;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/884/1/012027/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/884/1/012027

学科分类：卫生学

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

As a therapy modality, acupuncture is becoming popular for treating diseases. Nevertheless, the acupuncture mechanism of action remains unclear until now. Some studies suggest that acupuncture works by stimulating the β-endorphin release, whereas other studies show the opposite. This study aims to determine whether electro acupuncture at the LI 4 Hegu point could increase the plasma β-endorphin level as a basic of acupuncture mechanism of action. Thirty-six healthy subjects were involved and divided randomly into two groups, namely, intervention (n=18) and control (n=18). In the intervention group, electroacupuncture was applied at the LI 4 Hegu point with a low frequency for 30 min. In the control group, sham electroacupuncture was applied at a non-acupoint for 30 min. The plasma β-endorphin was examined before and after intervention using the ELISA method. A significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups in increasing the plasma β-endorphin level (9(50%) vs. 1(5.6%); p = 0.009). A significant difference was also observed in the plasma β-endorphin level after intervention between the two groups (35.1±3.4 vs. 10.3±1.8; p=0.003). Electroacupuncture at the LI 4 Hegu point was found to increase the plasma β-endorphin level in healthy subjects.