Although some important progresses were made in the field of the meridian research, no breakthroughs have been achieved. Besides,there are some problems in meridian researches. Particularly, previous research of meridian phenomenon involved lots of subjective elements and outcomes.Researches that use modern scientific techniques to investigate the biological characteristics of meridian phenomenon are urgently needed. Therefore, this study is designed to assess the heat transport characteristics of meridian phenomenon for the Heart and Lung meridians by using infrared thermal imaging. Thus, the biological characteristics of meridian phenomenon could be presented objectively in a scientific methodology.
This study will include 40 patients diagnosed with chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP) and 40 healthy volunteers. Infrared thermal imaging will be adopted to assess the heat transport characteristics of meridian phenomenon for Heart and Lung meridians in the physiology/pathological state. In addition, by comparing the heat transport characteristics in the acupoints along the Heart and Lung meridians, the relative specificity of the two meridians will also be investigated. Primary outcomes will be infrared thermal images and acupoint temperature. Furthermore, this study will build standardized techniques and schemes for detecting the heat transport characteristics of meridian phenomenon for Heart and Lung. The results of this study could also provide scientific foundation for traditional meridian theories.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
Infrared thermal imaging will be adopted to assess the heat transport characteristics of meridian phenomenon for participants in the two groups. 1. Experimental device: a NEC InfRec R450 infrared thermal imaging camera 2. Experimental process: The participants will be allowed to stabilize for 15 minutes in a supine position in the experimental room before formal examination They are asked to keep silent, breathe normally and avoid movement of limbs during the whole measuring period. The height and angle of the infrared thermal imaging camera is adjusted so that the measurement sites of the participant's arm is located in the center of the camera screen. The infrared thermal imaging and acupoint temperature will be recorded for 5 minutes. 3. Measurement sites: Shenmen (HT7) and Shaohai (HT3) of the Heart meridian, Taiyuan(LU9) and Chize (LU5) of the Lung meridian.
the Third affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical university
Hanzhou, Zhejiang, China
RECRUITINGInfrared thermal images
Infrared thermal images could reflect the heat transport characteristics of meridian phenomenon.
Time frame: 5 minutes
Acupoint temperature
Acupoint temperature could reflect the heat transport characteristics of meridian phenomenon.
Time frame: 5 minutes
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