Transkranielle Doppler-Sonographie - Robotergesteuerte Sonden zur Quantifizierung des Einflusses der Akupunktur - Transcranial Doppler Sonography - Robotic Probes for the Quantification of Acupuncture

Abstract

Transcranial Doppler Sonography (TCD) monitoring was carried out in 12 healthy subjects (mean age: 35.2 +/- 4.4 years; range: 26-41 years; 4 women, 8 men), prior to, during and following acupuncture. In all subjects an identical acupuncture scheme with a "general increase in Qi energy" setting was employed. Measurements were obtained with new robotic TCD probes enabling three-dimensional imaging of the middle cerebral artery by the use of the multi-scan technique. The results showed a significant (p < 0.01; ANOVA; Tukey test) increase in mean bloodflow velocity measured simultaneously at different depths within the right middle cerebral artery. Quantifiable changes in the physiological effects of acupuncture may contribute to improved acceptance of this unconventional complementary medical procedure.