Alterations in Bioelectric Activity at Acupuncture Points Following CV4 Cranial Manipulation

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Autonomic Imbalance

• Registration Number: NCT05190731
• Lead Sponsor: Jan T Hendryx

Brief Summary

By measuring specific electrical parameters at acupuncture points that have been shown to correlate with ANS activity, the objectives of this study were to: 1) determine if CV4 has any influence on the bioelectric properties of the acupuncture meridian system, and 2) determine if CV4 affects the ANS.

Detailed Description

This study is designed to measure bioelectrical activity at acupuncture Ting (Jing-Well) points immediately before and after employing a specific Osteopathic Cranial Manipulative Medicine (OCMM) technique called CV4 (Compression of the 4th Ventricle) vs. a Sham treatment.

Ting (Jing-Well) points are acupuncture points located at the proximal edges of the finger- and toenails that represent the beginning and end of 14 acupuncture meridians as described in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese systems. Measurement of electrical activity at Ting points is performed by a physicist who has extensive experience using a device known as the Apparatus for Meridian Identification (AMI). Data collected and analyzed by the AMI for both CV4 and Sham groups is compared statistically for significant differences in before vs. after electrical activity and specific acupuncture meridians affected. One particular analysis of After Polarization (AP) potentials correlates with changes in autonomic nervous system activity.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-11-10
• Primary Completion: 2018-06-24
• Study Completion: 2018-11-07
• Study First Submitted: 2021-12-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-12-29
• Study First Posted: 2022-01-13
• Status Verified: 2022-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-04-14
• Last Update Posted: 2022-04-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 77

Inclusion Criteria

• Males and females from the Erie, PA, area aged 18-78 years
• Recruited by local flyers and word of mouth marketing
• Able to lay supine for about 30 minutes

Exclusion Criteria

• Persons under the age of 18 years and persons unable to attend the in-person research sessions in Erie, PA.
• Identifiable acute illness of any kind
• Past medical history of stroke or transient ischemic attack within past 6 months
• Past medical history of intracranial hemorrhage, increased intracranial pressure, or seizure disorder
• Pregnant females

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Autonomic Nervous System Activity at Acupuncture Ting Points	Within 15 minutes of sham or intervention	Bioelectric skin conductance at acupuncture points

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

LECOM Health; 🇺🇸 Erie, Pennsylvania, United States