THE PARTICIPATION OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM IN THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ACUPUNCTURE

The relationship between acupuncture and the autonomic nervous system, suggested by clinical and indirect experimental experience, is sustained by electrophysiological data showing the stimulatory effects of GV-26 (Renzhong) and the inhibitory effects of GV-20 (Baihui) on the sympathetic activity of the skin as assessed by recording the spontaneous and evoked electrodermal activity by means of a dual-channel, self-balancing impedance reactometer. In this study of 32 patients, 14 cases had an exaggerated activity, 7 had moderate activity and 11 had low baseline sympathetic activity. In terms of the degree of decrease or increase of sympathetic discharges after stimulation of acupoints GV-20 and GV-26, respectively, the patients were divided into four categories: high-responders, medium-responders, low-responders and non-responders to acupuncture. The importance of our data is both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, it objectively sustains sympathetic activation or inhibition by specific points; practically, it can quantitatively assess the receptivity to acupuncture.