AP and the Cardiovascular System
SLEEP DISORDERS
Buguet_A; Sartre M; Le Kerneau J (1995) [Continuous nocturnal automassage of an AP point modifies sleep in healthy subjects]. Neurophysiol Clin 25(2):78-83. Centre de recherches du service de santé des Armées Emile-Pardé, La Tronche, France. To test the somnogenic properties of the automassage of point 7 heart of AP, polygraphic night sleep was studied in 6 healthy volunteers (age: 27.8+1.6 yr) from 23:00 h to 07:00 h. After one night of adaptation, 2 PEBA cones (Polyether Block Amides; Isocones) were fixed bilaterally at both points HT07 (active application, AA) or on the back of hand (placebo application, AP). The alternate application was used 2 wk later, using a randomized, double-blind, and cross-over protocol. Cyclic alternating patterns (CAP) were also analyzed on the electroencephalogram during non-REM sleep. Sleep efficiency increased in AA, due to a decrease in wakefulness, and an increase in total sleep time due to an increase in non-REM sleep. The number of CAP decreased in AA, as did the number of CAP sequences and the ratio of CAP duration to total sleep time (CAP rate) and to the duration of slow-wave sleep. In conclusion, the application of Isocones at HT07 heart during the night induced a decrease in wakefulness and an increase in non-REM sleep during night sleep in healthy subjects.
Montakab_H; Langel G(1994) [The effect of AP to treat insomnia: Clinical study of subjective and objective evaluation]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr Suppl 62:49-54. The sleep-wake cycle is the most important circadian rhythm in man and thus constitutes an excellent indicator of internal equilibrium and of health. Sleep disorders, and particularly insomnia, affect a great % of the population. In daily practice, an inappropriate treatment may transform a bad sleeper into an insomniac dependent on pharmaceuticals for life. It is therefore necessary to give priority to non-chemical treatments in the management of insomnia. AP, which offers a personalized treatment, is particularly indicated for reharmonizing a disturbed sleep-wake cycle. Also, there is an interesting similarity between the 5000-yr-old theoretical basis of Chinese medicine and the recent scientific discoveries about man's internal rhythms. Clinical and statistical studies of the effects of AP on insomnia are rare and evaluate only the subjective appreciation of sleep. Objective analysis of sleep by polysomnography permits evaluation of sleep architecture and visualizes the site and depth of action of the therapeutic method. Such studies have only been conducted in relation to pharmaceutical treatments. No such study has been done for AP. A scientific, objective evaluation by polysomnography of the effects of AP on insomnia is of academic and practical interest. If its efficiency is thus verified, AP may be integrated with other classical therapeutic methods in insomnia.
Xie_L; Xie L; Dong X (1994) 124 cases of dyssomnia treated with AP at Sishencong (Z 01) points. JTCM Sep 14(3):171-173. Wendeng County Orthopaedic Hospital, Shandong Province, PRC.