KHẢO SÁT SỰ THAY ĐỔI NHIỆT ĐỘ BỀ MẶT DA KHI HÀO CHÂM TẠI HUYỆT TRUNG CHỮ: MỘT NGHIÊN CỨU THÍ ĐIỂM

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we assess whether there is or not a change in the skin surface temperature at the acupoint and the skin region belonging to the Triple Burner meridian (pi bu) when applying acupuncture at Zhongzhu (TB-3), a stream acupoint of the Five transporting (Shu) points, based on the “clearing meridian Qi obstruction” effect of this point. Materials and Methods: A no controlled group pilot study which examine 30 volunteers at the Acupuncture Experimental Research Lab of the Faculty of Traditional Medicine at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at HCMC. The skin temperature was measured on the dorsal of hands and forearms by an infrared thermal imaging camera at the time points before, during, and after applying acupuncture at the TB-3 acupoint. Results: The skin surface temperature at TB-3 acupoint and the skin region belonging to the Triple Burner meridian increased significantly between the time points before, during, and after applying acupuncture (p = 0.0012 and p = 0.0005). In contrast, the skin surface temperature at the skin not belonging to the Triple Burner meridian did not change significantly between the time points before, during, and after applying acupuncture (p = 0.5753). Conclusions: We found that acupuncture can change the skin surface temperature at the applied acupoint and the corresponding meridian specifically. That is suitable to the meridian theory and the “clearing meridian Qi obstruction” effect of stream points.