Experimental study on the influence of pressing force and time on thermal effect of An-pressing manipulation

Objective

To observe the influence of pressing force and time on the thermal effect of An-pressing manipulation.

Methods

Eight healthy volunteers were recruited to receive An-pressing manipulation at Xinshu (BL 15) on the right side. The pressing force and time were both divided into five levels: the force described as extremely mild, mild, moderate, strong and extremely strong and time given by 2.5 min, 5.0 min, 7.5 min, 10.0 min and 15.0 min. The real-time change in local acupoint temperature as well as the change during 1.0-15.0 min after the manipulation were observed.

Results

Compared with the baseline data, the real-time changes in the temperature after An-pressing Xinshu (BL 15) on the right side with different levels of force (from mild to strong) were respectively (1.88±0.64) °C, (2.05±0.68) °C, (2.25±0.59) °C, (2.35±0.61) °C and (2.32±0.69) °C; the changes in 15.0 min after the manipulation were respectively (–0.11±0.11) °C, (0.03±0.14) °C, (0.59±0.58) °C, (1.38±0.70) °C and (2.09±0.98) °C. The real-time temperature changes after the manipulation for different durations (from short to long) were respectively (1.94±0.37) °C, (2.33±0.29) °C, (2.49±0.31) °C, (2.51±0.39) °C and (2.41±0.55) °C; the changes in 15.0 min after the manipulation were respectively (0.53±0.49) °C, (0.33±0.30) °C, (0.52±0.33) °C, (0.55±0.38) °C and (0.76±0.36) °C.

Conclusion

The thermal effect presented an increasing tendency with the extension of pressing time, and the temperature reached the top at 7.5 min; the thermal effect showed an increasing tendency with the rise of pressing force, and the temperature reached the top upon a moderate level of force. The pressing time can produce a greater influence on the real-time temperature than the pressing force; the pressing force can produce a greater influence on maintaining the temperature than the pressing time.