Background: The infrared spectrum analysis can reveal subtle changes of the body''s infrared radiation. It provides a good method to research the specificity of acupoints. Objective: To compare the acupoint infrared radiation spectra of patients and healthy volunteers to determine whether patients'' spectra carry distinctive pathological information. Design, Setting, and Participants: The study included 50 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 47 healthy adults (controls). The study was performed in the Cardiology Department of Longhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai, China. Intervention: The head of the highly sensitive infrared spectrum detection device was placed against Daling (PC 7) and Taichong (LR 3) bilaterally. Main Outcome Measures: Infrared radiation intensity. Results: Infrared radiation intensities of 47 out of 146 detected wavelength spots significantly differed in the CHD patients at PC 7 vs those of controls (P< .05), while only 24 wavelength spots at LR 3 showed significant differences. By the chi(2) test, these differences between the 2 points were statistically significant (P = .002). At 2-to 2.5-mu m related to energy metabolism, the intensity at PC 7 of the CHD patients on both sides was significantly lower than that of controls, while the intensity of LR 3 only on the left side was significantly lower than that of controls (all P< .05), and the right side had no difference (P> .05). Conclusions: The data suggest that the changes of infrared spectrum at PC 7 in CHD patients may reflect distinct pathological changes. This may be the result of hypoactive energy metabolism in the acupoint area. Acupoints may have certain relationships to certain organs.
[1]Shanghai Univ, Tradit Chinese Med, Fac Acupuncture Moxibust, 1200 Cai Lun Rd Zhangjiang Hi Tech Pk, Shanghai 201203, Peoples R China.
[2]Fudan Univ, Dept Mech & Appl Engn, Shanghai, Peoples R China.
[3]Univ Maryland, Sch Med, Ctr Integrat Med, Baltimore, MD 20742 USA.
[4]Shanghai Res Ctr Acupuncture & Meridian, Shanghai, Peoples R China.
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