Acupuncture and Skin Temperature Behavior

Objective: Evaluating the behavior of skin temperature through infrared thermography after application of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in Weizhong (B40) and Kunlun (B60) acupunctures points. Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed with 54 participants of both sexes, mean of 21.88±2.53 years, randomized into three groups (n=18): electroacupuncture (EAG), acupuncture (AG) and control (CG). The application was bilateral in the acupoints (B60 and B40), for 20 minutes. The skin temperature of the lower limbs was measured at the following times: before application, 10 minutes of application, 20 minutes of application and 10 minutes after needle removal.

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Key information

Conditions

Thermography Acupuncture Therapy Electroacupuncture

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Both sexes;
Aged between 18-30 years;
Good general health;

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant women;
Hemophiliacs;
Smokers;
Patients with severe cardiovascular diseases.

Treatment and study plan

Acupuncture therapy and Electroacupuncture

Device

We used the following Bladder acupuncture points, Weizong (B40) in the middle of the popliteal fossa and Kunlun (B60) located in a depression between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon. The subjects were instructed to report the "De Qi" perception (paresthesia or numbness) that was the advice to the researchers that the point was right punctured. After the De qi was reported, the needle remained in the acupuncture point for 20 minutes and was rotated three times more for the preservation of the effect. During this time, all subjects remained in the supine laying down position on the stretcher.

Primary outcomes

Skin temperature

Time frame: 30 minutes after the first assessment (P30)

Skin temperature was evaluated by infrared thermography using a thermal camera, brand FLIR® Systems (T300, Wilsonville, OR, USA), and accuracy of up to 0.05º C, with emissivity of 0.98 being established and the instrument stabilized for 10 minutes before the exam. Three infrared images were captured in sequence at a distance of 100 cm from the individual, in order to allow the framing of the evaluated limb [20].

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Sao Paulo

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Skin Temperature Behavior by Infrared Thermography After Application of Electroacupuncture and Acupuncture

Important dates

Study start: 2015
Primary completion: 2016
Study completion: 2017
First posted: Oct 19, 2022
Registry last updated: Oct 19, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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