Acupuncture and Skin Temperature Behavior

University of Sao Paulo

Status: Completed

Conditions: Thermography; Electroacupuncture; Acupuncture Therapy

Treatments: Device: Acupuncture therapy and Electroacupuncture

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05586893

HCFMRP/USP 1332694/2015

Details and patient eligibility

About

Objective: Evaluating the behavior of skin temperature through infrared thermography after application of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in Weizhong (B40) and Kunlun (B60) acupunctures points. Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed with 54 participants of both sexes, mean of 21.88±2.53 years, randomized into three groups (n=18): electroacupuncture (EAG), acupuncture (AG) and control (CG). The application was bilateral in the acupoints (B60 and B40), for 20 minutes. The skin temperature of the lower limbs was measured at the following times: before application, 10 minutes of application, 20 minutes of application and 10 minutes after needle removal.

Enrollment: 54 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Both sexes;
• Aged between 18-30 years;
• Good general health;

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women;
• Hemophiliacs;
• Smokers;
• Patients with severe cardiovascular diseases.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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54 participants in 3 patient groups

Electroacupuncture

Experimental group

Description:

The acupuncture electrical stimulation was performed by the EL 608 electroacupuncture device (NKL, Brusque - SC, Brazil, ANVISA 80191680002). For the stimulation of the acupuncture points, we selected a biphasic wave, 2 HZ of frequency, 6 mA of wavelength, and 5 seconds at resting time. The total stimulation time was 20 minutes.

Treatment:

Device: Acupuncture therapy and Electroacupuncture

Acupuncture therapy

Experimental group

Description:

The acupuncture points were bilaterally punctured by a stainless steel acupuncture needle (length 30mm x diameter 0.25) (Dongbang, Boryeong, Chungnam- Korea). We used the following Bladder acupuncture points, Weizong (B40) in the middle of the popliteal fossa and Kunlun (B60) located in a depression between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon. The subjects were instructed to report the "De Qi" perception (paresthesia or numbness) that was the advice to the researchers that the point was right punctured. After the De qi was reported, the needle remained in the acupuncture point for 20 minutes and was rotated three times more for the preservation of the effect. During this time, all subjects remained in the supine laying down position on the stretcher.

Treatment:

Device: Acupuncture therapy and Electroacupuncture

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Infrared images were captured at the first assessment (P0), 10 minutes later (P10), 20 minutes later (P20) and 30 minutes after the first assessment (P30). All analyzes were performed using QuickReport software, version 1.2 (FLIR Systems). No application of interventions between assessments.