Abstract
Recent research has elucidated several different mechanisms for acupuncture. However, the interrelationship between these mechanisms and how acupuncture affects complex physiological systems is still not understood. Heart rate Variability (HRV), the beat-to-beat fluctuations in the rhythm of the heart, results from the regulation of the heart by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Low HRV is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and is a marker for a wide range of diseases. Coherent HRV patterns are associated with increased synchronization between the two branches of the ANS, and when sustained for long periods of time result in increased synchronization and entrainment between multiple body systems. There is strong evidence from randomized placebo controlled trials that acupuncture modulates HRV. This may represent a mechanistic pathway for global physiological regulation, which is congruent with East Asian medical theory. The ability of acupuncture to improve HRV could be used as a tool in acupuncture research and practice to monitor treatment effectiveness and the impact on quality of life.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 99-106 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2012 |
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Keywords
- acupuncture
- acupuncture mechanism
- global physiological regulation
- Heart rate variability
- translational research
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Chiropractics
- Analysis
- Nursing(all)
Cite this
Acupuncture and heart rate variability : A systems level approach to understanding mechanism. / Anderson, Belinda; Nielsen, Arya; McKee, Melissa D.; Jeffres, Anne; Kligler, Ben.
In: Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, Vol. 8, No. 2, 03.2012, p. 99-106.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Acupuncture and heart rate variability
T2 - A systems level approach to understanding mechanism
AU - Anderson, Belinda
AU - Nielsen, Arya
AU - McKee, Melissa D.
AU - Jeffres, Anne
AU - Kligler, Ben
PY - 2012/3
Y1 - 2012/3
N2 - Recent research has elucidated several different mechanisms for acupuncture. However, the interrelationship between these mechanisms and how acupuncture affects complex physiological systems is still not understood. Heart rate Variability (HRV), the beat-to-beat fluctuations in the rhythm of the heart, results from the regulation of the heart by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Low HRV is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and is a marker for a wide range of diseases. Coherent HRV patterns are associated with increased synchronization between the two branches of the ANS, and when sustained for long periods of time result in increased synchronization and entrainment between multiple body systems. There is strong evidence from randomized placebo controlled trials that acupuncture modulates HRV. This may represent a mechanistic pathway for global physiological regulation, which is congruent with East Asian medical theory. The ability of acupuncture to improve HRV could be used as a tool in acupuncture research and practice to monitor treatment effectiveness and the impact on quality of life.
AB - Recent research has elucidated several different mechanisms for acupuncture. However, the interrelationship between these mechanisms and how acupuncture affects complex physiological systems is still not understood. Heart rate Variability (HRV), the beat-to-beat fluctuations in the rhythm of the heart, results from the regulation of the heart by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Low HRV is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and is a marker for a wide range of diseases. Coherent HRV patterns are associated with increased synchronization between the two branches of the ANS, and when sustained for long periods of time result in increased synchronization and entrainment between multiple body systems. There is strong evidence from randomized placebo controlled trials that acupuncture modulates HRV. This may represent a mechanistic pathway for global physiological regulation, which is congruent with East Asian medical theory. The ability of acupuncture to improve HRV could be used as a tool in acupuncture research and practice to monitor treatment effectiveness and the impact on quality of life.
KW - acupuncture
KW - acupuncture mechanism
KW - global physiological regulation
KW - Heart rate variability
KW - translational research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84858642596&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84858642596&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.explore.2011.12.002
DO - 10.1016/j.explore.2011.12.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 22385564
AN - SCOPUS:84858642596
VL - 8
SP - 99
EP - 106
JO - Explore
JF - Explore
SN - 1550-8307
IS - 2
ER -