Effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation in healthy young adults

Aim of the study

Given the popularity of the use of ephedra in traditional Chinese medicine around the world, a greater understanding of its actions is required. This study aims to assess the effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation using power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Twenty healthy subjects were given 1 g of ephedra dry extract or placebo once per day for 14 days in a crossover fashion with a 7-day washout period between treatments. Sequential HRV measures at baseline and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after taking ephedra or the placebo on days 1 and 14 were obtained and compared. In addition, the baseline HRV measurements on days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 were also obtained and compared.

Results

The normalized low-frequency component (LF%) and the low/high-frequency component ratio (LF/HF) of the HRV were significantly increased, whereas the high-frequency component (HF) and normalized HF (HF%) were significantly decreased at 120 and 180 min after taking ephedra on days 1 and 14. In addition, the baseline LF% and LF/HF were significantly increased, whereas the baseline HF% was significantly decreased on days 10 and 14, as compared to day 1.

Conclusions

By power spectral analysis of the HRV of healthy young adults, it is suggested that ingestion of ephedra dry extract acutely and chronically affects autonomic nervous activity by tilting the sympathovagal balance toward increased sympathetic activity, whereas parasympathetic activity was impaired.     

Effect of acupuncture on heart rate variability in primary dysmenorrheic women

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological complaint among young women that is related to an autonomic nervous system (ANS) disturbance. Acupuncture is one of several therapeutic approaches for primary dysmenorrhea, since it can modulate ANS function. The heart rate variability (HRV) parameters such as high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF) and LF/HF ratio are generally accepted tools to assess ANS activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture applied at Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points on HRV of women with primary dysmenorrhea during the late luteal phase. The experimental design was a crossover and patient-blinded procedure. All subjects participated in Sham (SA) and Real Acupuncture (RA) procedure, separated by one month, in a crossover sequence. The participants included 38 women (mean age 22.3 years; weight 53.8 kg; height 162.6 cm). HRV measurement was 15 min before and 15 min after an acupuncture procedure. The RA procedure was performed at two bilateral acupoints, but needles were inserted subcutaneously to the acupuncture points for the SA procedure. The RA induced a significant decrease in LF/HF ratio and a significant increase in the HF power, while SA treatment caused a significant increase only in the HF power. Manual acupuncture at bilateral acupoints of LI4 and SP6 may play a role in dysmenorrhea treatment with autonomic nervous system involvement.     

耳穴压丸对正常人心率和心率变异性的影响

目的:观察比较正常人在耳穴压丸刺激前、刺激时和刺激后的心率及心率变异性变化的差异,初步探讨耳穴对人体生理状况调节的机制。方法:30例受试者用Actiheart心电记录仪记录耳穴刺激前10 min,刺激时20 min,刺激后20 min的心率和心率变异性指标;采用SPSS 13.0统计软件分析比较3个时间段心率和心率变异性影响的差异。结果:(1)与刺激前比较,耳穴压丸刺激时心率(BPM)值下降,NN间期标准差(SDNN),5 min SDNN(SDANN),心率变异性(HRV)三角函数,lnVLF(极低频功率)和LF/HF(低频功率/高频功率)值均升高(P<0.05),刺激后SDNN,SDANN,HRV三角函数,lnVLF,lnLF,LF/HF值均升高(P<0.05);(2)与刺激中比较,刺激后SDANN,LF/HF值均升高(P<0.05);(3)相邻期间差的平方根(RMSSD),lnHF 3个时间段比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:耳穴压丸能调整自主神经的均衡性,增大HRV总体的大小,对自主神经系统有双向良性调节作用。     

A Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory profile of ChunDoSunBup qi-trainees: a preliminary study

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of ChunDoSunBup Qi-training on personality traits. Twenty-six normal healthy subjects (mean age = 26.58 +/- 6.56) and 26 CDSB Qi-trainees (mean age = 27.74 +/- 5.21) participated in this study. Analysis of MMPI profiles showed that CDSB Qi-trainees scored significantly lower on Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy), Paranoia (Pa), Schizophrenia (Sc) and Frequency (F) and significantly higher on the Correction (K) Scales. In addition, CDSB Qi-trainees reported a significantly lower Cook-Medley Hostility (Ho) scale than that of controls. This preliminary study suggests that CDSB Qi-training may be effective in protection as well as restoration of emotional, psychological symptomatology and personality trait disorder.     

Nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability during Qi therapy (external Qigong)

Heart rate variability (HRV) was compared in 30 subjects receiving external Qi therapy (EQT) or placebo control therapy, in a crossover design experiment. Subjects who received the EQT reported more pleasant and calm emotions than did the placebo group. Qi therapy reduced the heart rate and increased HRV as indicated by a reduced low frequency/high frequency power ratio of HRV. With nonlinear analysis, the Poincaré plot index of HRV and approximate entropy was greater in the EQT group than in the control group. These findings suggest that EQT stabilizes the sympathovagal function and cardiac autonomic nervous system by inducing more positive emotions than the placebo therapy. In conclusion, EQT may act by stabilizing both the autonomic nervous system and the emotional state.     

Atropine-induced HRV alteration is not amended by electroacupuncture on Zusanli

Acupuncture is known to influence autonomic nervous activity. Acupuncture on Zusanli points has been shown to enhance the regularity of gastric myoelectrical activity and accelerate gastric emptying, partly through the vagal pathway, in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether atropine-induced autonomic nervous alteration, measured by heart rate variability (HRV), could be amended by electroacupuncture on Zusanli points. HRV measurements were recorded in 15 healthy volunteers before, during and after electroacupuncture. Each subject was studied for three sessions in a randomized sequence, which included electroacupuncture on the Zusanli (St 36) points with or without premedication of atropine and placebo stimulation on a non-acupoint. The analysis of low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratios were compared between different sessions. Serum levels of gastrin, motilin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels were also measured. There was an increase in the LF/HF ratio (indicating increased sympathetic activity) during the post-acupuncture period with 2 Hz of electrical stimulation on the Zusanli acupoints. When IV atropine was used immediately before the electroacupuncture, there was a decrease in the LF power and HF power during the acupuncture and post-acupuncture periods. In addition, there was a significant increase in the LF/HF ratio during the acupuncture and post-acupuncture periods. There was a significant decrease in serum PP in the post-acupuncture period after premedication with IV atropine. In conclusion, atropine-induced HRV change might be mediated via the vagal pathway. However, atropine-induced HRV alteration is not amended by electroacupuncture on Zusanli points.     

针刺调节心脏植物神经的实验研究

目的 :观察针刺对心脏植物神经的调节作用。方法 :采用心率变异性频谱分析法 ,对心脏植物神经做药物的逆同向干预后的针刺效应进行分析研究。结果 :植物神经被部分阻断后 ,针刺效应具有去药物干预样的作用。结论 :针刺疗法具有双向的良性调节作用 ,对心率变异性的调节必须依赖于植物神经 ,对心肌具有保护作用     

Poincare散点图在分析糖尿病合并慢性充血性心力衰竭心率变异中的应用

目的探讨Poincare散点图在分析糖尿病(DM)、慢性心力衰竭(HF)及糖尿病合并慢性心力衰竭(DM+HF)患者心率变异(HRV)中的使用价值。方法分别分析100例DM患者,100例HF患者,100例DM+HF患者和100例正常人24 h HRV的Poincare散点图及其定量指标,矢量长度指数(VLI)和矢量角度指数(VAI),并与部分时域指标(SDNN,SDSD)进行相关分析。结果正常人散点图均呈慧星型;DM组、HF组呈鱼雷型及短棒型;DM+HF组短棒型,3组患者24 h、清醒、睡眠时的SDNN、SDSD、VLI、VAI与正常组比较均显著降低,且昼夜变化节律消失。与DM组、HF组比较,DM+HF组SDNN、SDSD、VLI、VAI明显降低。相关分析显示VLI与SDNN和VAI与SDSD分别呈正相关。结论DM合并HF时自主神经受损严重。Poincare散点图能直观地反映DM、HF、DM+HF患者心脏自主神经功能状况,结合其量化指标可定量分析其HRV。     

Veränderungen der Herzratenvariabilität (HRV) während Low Level Lasernadelakupunktur: Placebokontrollierte Studie an 19 herzgesunden Probanden

Background

Experimental and clinical studies postulate a neurobiological mechanism of acupuncture by modulating central pain systems, neurohormones and -transmitters. It seems to be quite likely that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important mediating role in this neuromodulation.

Aim

In measuring heart rate variability (HRV), as a non-invasive approach to the ANS-function, the object of this study was to monitor probable acupuncture-induced changes of autonomic balance. The innovative technology of laser-needle acupuncture offers for the first time a stimulation method which fulfils the demands on a placebo-controlled acupuncture trial not requiring controversial sham acupuncture.

Method

19 healthy voluntary subjects underwent 3 treatments in randomized sequence, consisting of placebo-, 1-point- (PC 6) and simultaneous 3-point- (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3) laser-needle-stimulation over 20 minutes. Before, during and after placebo-/verum laser-needle acupuncture, HRV-data for normalized HF(high frequency)- and LF(low frequency)-Power (nHF, nLF) and their quotient nLF/nHF obtained by power spectrum analysis (FFT), were measured and analyzed statistically at 5 different time points (ANOVA repeated measures, p < 0,05).

Results

During both verum applications, the 1-point- (PC 6) as well as the simultaneous 3-point- (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3) laser-needle stimulation, significant changes of the ANS-activity were found in comparison to the placebo application. The most significant modification of HRV was an increase of nHF (p < 0,05 (PC 6), p < 0,0001 (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3)) as an expression of growing vagal activity during acupuncture.

Conclusion

Laser-needle acupuncture causes in 1-point-stimulation (PC 6) as well as in simultaneous 3-point-stimulation (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3) significant changes in HRV in comparison to placebo application. HRV-monitoring seems to be a suitable approach in exploration of acupuncture-induced changes of ANS and could possibly be established in combination with laser needle acupuncture as a standard for further scientific and clinical acupuncture investigations which are greatly needed.     

Heart rate variability and the influence of craniosacral therapy on autonomous nervous system regulation in persons with subjective discomforts: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Subjective discomforts in a preclinical range are often due to imbalanced autonomic nervous system activity, which is a focus of craniosacral therapy.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to determine any changes in heart rate variability(HRV) in a study on craniosacral therapy.DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This is a quasi-experimental(controlled) study with cross-over design.In a private practice, measurements were perfor med on 31 patients with subjective discomforts before and after a control and an intervention period.HRV was determined using a device that requires a measuring time of 140 s and electrode contact only with the fingertips.Main PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: HRV change under the influence of a defined onetime intervention(test intervention) with craniosacral therapy versus control(defined rest period).RESULTS: Standard deviation of all RR-intervals(ms) and total power of RR-interval variability in the frequency range(ms2) were together interpreted as an indicator of test subjects' autonomic nervous activity and as a measure of their ability to cope with demands on their health.Neither of these parameters increased during the control period(P0.05), whereas during the test intervention period there was an increase in both(P0.05, P0.01).Nevertheless, interactions between treatment and the increase were statistically not significant(P0.05).No changes were observed in the low frequency/high frequency ratio(sympathetic-vagal balance) in the course of the control or the test intervention period(P0.05).CONCLUSION: Craniosacral treatment had a favourable effect on autonomic nervous activity.This in itself is an interesting result, but further research will be needed to distinguish specific effects of craniosacral therapy technique from less specific therapist-client interaction effects.     

血液透析失眠患者的心率变异性与子午流注规律的关系探讨

目的：探讨维持性血液透析（MHD）失眠患者心率变异性的昼夜节律特点以及其与子午流注规律的关系。方法：选取符合失眠标准的MHD患者,分析其心率变异性（HRV）的主要指标,用匹兹堡睡眠评分系统（PSQI）反映患者睡眠情况,取29例性别、年龄相互匹配的健康人（无肾脏病）作为对照组;比较患者心率变异性的时域指标及频域指标与健康人有无统计学差异,描述患者心率变异性随子午流注时辰变化的特点。结果：本研究共纳入患者21例,24h心电图结果提示患者心率变异性时域指标的全程每5min R-R间期平均值的标准差（SDANN,P=0.004)、相邻R-R间期之间差值的均方根（rMSSD,P=0.016）以及频域指标24h频域总功率较健康组有显著的差异（P=0.010）;根据子午流注时辰划分方法,观察患者的HRV可见,患者每个时辰的SDNN平均值都在150以上,最低值出现在寅时（24h计时的3:00-4:00）并开始上升,上升速度十分缓慢,峰值在巳时（24h计时的9:00-10:00）并由此开始逐渐下降,未时（24h计时的13:00-14:00）重新降回夜间水平波动。结论：维持性血液透析失眠患者的HRV 随着子午流注十二时辰的变化表现出一定的节律。     

针刺疗法对冠心病患者心率变异性的影响

采用心率变异频域法测试２０例冠心病患者针刺前后心率变异性的情况。结果表明：内关手法组、电针内关组针刺前后心率变异频谱中的低频成分都有显著性差异，对照组变化不显著。各组的高频成分针刺前后比较无显著性变化。低频／高频比值只有电针组有统计学意义。     

复方丹参注射液合黄芪注射液对老年冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者非心脏手术围手术期心率变异性的影响

目的观察复方丹参注射液合黄芪注射液对老年冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者非心脏手术围手术期心率变异性的影响,寻求提高冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病围手术期安全性的方法。方法选择经内科确诊为冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病拟行择期手术的老年患者60例,随机分为2组。治疗组30例围手术期予复方丹参注射液合黄芪注射液静脉滴注,对照组予5%葡萄糖氯化钠注射液静脉滴注。观察围手术期不同时点心率(HR)和心率变异(HRV)、心率变异总功率(TP)、低频(LF)、高频(HF)、LF/HF、uHF(HF/TP)等各项指标的变化。结果治疗组围手术期各时点HR明显降低,TP、LF、HF、uHF(HF/TP)升高,与对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05),LF/HF变化不明显。结论冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者应用复方丹参注射液合黄芪注射液后心肌缺血状况改善,迷走神经功能恢复,交感神经、副交感神经达到了良好的平衡,提高了冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者围手术期的安全性。     

Effect of cervical manipulation on autonomic nervous function in healthy volunteers

目的:脊柱推拿是传统医学的治疗方法之一.根据中医学脏腑经络相关理论,观察颈部脊柱推拿对自主神经系统功能的调节作用.方法:选择成年健康男性志愿者,通过对受试者进行颈部进行推拿操作,包括触压双侧颈椎横突(C2-5)、左右旋转和扳法,以心率和心率变异性的改变为指标,观察推拿前后自主神经系统紧张性的改变.结果:对30名正常成年男性志愿者的观察结果表明,推拿后心率显著降低(RR间期延长);时域分析中SDNN显著性增加,频域分析中总功率谱显著性增加.以上结果皆提示迷走性张力增高.结论:颈部脊柱推拿可调节自主神经系统张力,提示了针灸推拿方法治疗临床心血管疾病如心律失常的可能性.     

糖尿病辨证分型与心率变异关系临床研究

目的 :探讨糖尿病不同证型的心率变异 (HRV)情况。方法 :选符合诊断标准的糖尿病患者 6 2例 ,分为 3组 :阴虚热盛型 (19例 ,A组 ) ;气阴两虚型 (2 3例 ,B组 ) ;阴阳两虚型 (2 0例 ,C组 )。检测 2 4 h动态心电图 ,并对其 HRV6项指标进行统计对比分析。结果 :A组 6项指标均正常 ;B组与 A组比较 ,SDNN、PNN 5 0、L F、HF指标均有显著差异 (t值依次为 2 .34、2 .4 8、1.98、3.0 2 ,P<0 .0 5或 0 .0 1) ;C组与 A组比较 ,SDNN、RMSSD、PNN5 0、TP、L F、HF指标均有显著差异 (t值依次为12 .13、2 .4 8、4 .6 1、3.4 5、2 .4 4、2 .0 9,P<0 .0 1或 0 .0 5 )。结论 :糖尿病气阴两虚及阴阳两虚患者均合并自主神经损害 ,且以阴阳两虚型为甚     

电针内关、间使对恐惧情绪状态心率及心率变异性的影响

目的：探讨电针内关、间使对恐惧情绪状态心率及心率变异性的影响。方法：将120例健康试验者随机分为针刺组和对照组,各60例,分别给予恐怖音频刺激20 min后,针刺组接受电针双侧内关、间使穴刺激20 min,出针后继续静卧20 min;对照组在清醒状态下静卧40 min。同时用心电记录仪记录整个过程中心率和心率变异性的变化。结果：本试验分听音频后心率上升和听音频后心率下降或不变两部分作分析。与听音频20 min差值比较,听音频后心率上升者针刺/对照20 min平均心率、HF、LF/HF差异有统计学意义（P约0.05）;听音频后心率下降或不变两组静息20 min平均心率、RMSSD、HF差异有统计学意义（P约0.05）。结论：电针内关、间使对自主神经调节有即刻效应和后效应,且能双向调节惊恐引起的自主神经功能紊乱,可兴奋或抑制迷走神经功能,从而治疗疾病。     

Effect of acupuncture on heart rate variability during prolonged high-intensity training in soccer players

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture therapy compared with sham acupuncture on heart rate variability(HRV) in 24 elite soccer players during 4-week, high-intensity training sessions.METHODS: The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture group(AG) and sham acupuncture group(SG). In addition, AG had been implemented two times/week to stimulate Zusanli(ST 36), Hegu(LI 4), Shenshu(BL 23), and Chize(LU5). While SG, had been applied to utilize a special "placebo-needle" technique on the same sites.What's more, the HRV parameters were calculated before and after interventions, respectively.RESULTS: First, stress index(SI) had a significantly increased in SG(P = 0.031) compare pre-test with post-test, however, no significantly difference in AG(P = 0.102). Secondly, standard deviation of N-N intervals(SNDD) have enormously significantly high-er in AG when comparing baseline with post therapy(P = 0.001), while, declined in SG(P = 0.827).Meanwhile, the root mean square of successive differences(RMSSD) were significant differences in AG(P = 0.023). What's more, when the high-frequency(HF) were significantly higher in AG(P = 0.047) after receiving the acupuncture therapy, the lowe-frequency(LF) power were decreased but no significant in AG and SG. Comparing with pre-experiment, the ratio of LF/HF was lower in AG, but higher in SG. Furthermore, it was significant difference when compare the post-experiment parameters of AG with SG(P = 0.015). And HF parameters have significance(P = 0.005) compare between two groups during the post-experiment.CONCLUSION: Based on evidence, acupuncture therapy on special acupoints could strengthen the parasympathetic nervous activity and modulates the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity in soccer players while they engage in high-intensity training.     

Study of heart rate variability due to reflexological stimulation

The electrocardiogram is a representative signal containing information about the condition of the heart. The shape and size of the P-QRS-T wave, the time intervals between its various peaks, etc., may contain useful information about the nature of disease afflicting the heart. However, the human observer cannot directly monitor these subtle details. Besides, since bio-signals are highly subjective, the symptoms may appear at random in the time scale. Therefore, the heart rate variability signal parameters, extracted and analyzed using computers, are highly useful in diagnostics. Analysis of heart rate variation (HRV) has become a popular non-invasive tool for assessing the activities of the autonomic nervous system. HRV analysis is based on the concept that fast fluctuations may specifically reflect changes of sympathetic and vagal activity. It shows that the structure generating the signal is not simply linear, but also involves nonlinear contributions. This work is an attempt made to do a quantitative study on the effect of reflexology on the HRV during reflexologic stimulation. The nonlinear parameters are evaluated for this study and the results obtained for 20 subjects are tabulated.     

宣肺健脾益肾针刺法对不同程度支气管哮喘患者心率变异性与肺功能的影响

目的:探讨宣肺健脾益肾针刺法治疗支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)作用机理。方法:71例慢性持续期、缓解期哮喘患者,按照哮喘病情严重程度采用分层随机法将观察对象分为治疗组和对照组。对照组31例,平均年龄(45.2±14.6)岁;治疗组40例,平均年龄(47.1±13.1)岁。所有观察对象均继续应用抗哮喘药物,治疗组同时取宣肺健脾益肾穴位:曲池、列缺、鱼际、内关、足三里、三阴交、太溪,以平补平泻法,针刺10次为1疗程,观察不同病情程度哮喘患者针刺治疗前后心率变异性(Heartratevariability,HRV)频域指标与肺功能变化。结果:针刺治疗后间歇状态、轻度与中度、重度哮喘患者肺功能均出现增高,HRV测定表明评价整个自主神经对心率调控作用的总功率(TP)、HRV三角指数(HRVtriangularindex)出现提高,包括低频功率(LF)、规一化的低频功率(LFnorm)等在内的反映交感神经功能的指标均出现增高,反映副交感神经功能状态的高频功率(HF)、相邻NN间期限的差值超过50ms的心搏数占NN间期的总心搏数百分比[PNN50(%)]也出现升高。结论:针刺治疗可提高不同病情程度哮喘患者的肺功能,其作用机理可能与自主神经调节功能的改善有关。     

Qi-training enhances respiratory burst function and adhesive capacity of neutrophils in young adults: a preliminary study

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of Qi-training on the immune system, especially neutrophil bactericidal function. Nine healthy male subjects were studied for the effects of one bout of ChunDoSunBup (CDSB) Qi-training on superoxide (O2- production and adhesion capacity of neutrophils at times immediately after (Post I) and 2 hours after the Qi-training (Post II). The Qi-training enhanced O2- production, reaction velocity and neutrophil adhesion capacity and there were significant differences at Post I compared to before Qi-training (Pre). In addition, the number of white blood cells (WBC), monocytes and lymphocytes were changed significantly through Qi-training.Therefore, it seems that CDSB Qi-training may increase the resistance of trained individuals against common infection and inflammation.