Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Dielectric properties of human skin at an acupuncture point in the 50-75 GHz frequency range: A pilot study med./bio.

By: Egot-Lemaire SJ, Ziskin MC

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2011; 32 (5): 360-366

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the dielectric properties of an acupuncture point on the forearm skin within the 50-75 GHz range and to compare these properties with those of a neighboring ipsilateral and a corresponding contralateral control area (excluding any pre-identified acupuncture points).

Background/further details

Acupuncture points have been suspected to exhibit particular direct current, low frequency electrical and optical properties compared to surrounding skin. Acupuncture points are exposed in some applications of millimeter wave therapy.
Ten healthy volunteers participated (one female) and the so-called PC4 (PeriCardium No.4) Xi-men point on the pericardium meridian of hand was exposed.

Endpoint

effects on skin: dielectric properties of an acupuncture point

Exposure

- 50–75 GHz
- RF
- millimeter waves
- therapeutic/medical device

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50–75 GHz Exposure duration: not given in the article	power density: 14 mW/cm²

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50–75 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	not given in the article

Exposure setup

Exposure source	waveguide
Setup	open-ended rectangular waveguide with a 0.8 mm thick teflon plug in the 3.76 mm x 1.88 mm aperture; waveguide aperture pressed on the skin at the measuring points; measurements taken in a 6 mm x 12 mm area, consisting of 3 x 3 aperture-sized rectangles around the acupuncture point; control points 2.5 cm away from the acupuncture point at an angle of 45° on the same arm and on the other arm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	14 mW/cm²	-	-	-	-

Reference articles

Ahn AC et al. (2008): Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: A systematic review
Alekseev SI et al. (2007): Human skin permittivity determined by millimeter wave reflection measurements

Exposed system:

human
partial body: forearm

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on skin: dielectric properties of an acupuncture point (measurement of complex reflection coefficient at the skin surface (open ended rectangular waveguide technique); complex permittivity (real and imaginary part; calculation))

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data tended to show that the permittivity of the PC4 acupuncture site is different from that of surrounding non-acupuncture sites in the 50-61 GHz range. Thus, it is possible that the response of the body to millimeter waves differs if this acupuncture site is used as an exposure site, rather than surrounding skin. Further research is needed to determine whether the application of millimeter wave therapy at acupuncture sites is truly more efficacious than at non-acupuncture sites.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study

Study funded by

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM; U.S. National Institutes of Health), Maryland, USA
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Maryland, USA

Alekseev SI et al. (2010): Millimeter wave effects on electrical responses of the sural nerve in vivo
Ahn AC et al. (2008): Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: A systematic review
Usichenko TI et al. (2006): Low-intensity electromagnetic millimeter waves for pain therapy
Radzievsky A et al. (2004): Millimeter-wave-induced hypoalgesia in mice: dependence on type of experimental pain
Radzievsky AA et al. (2001): Peripheral neural system involvement in hypoalgesic effect of electromagnetic millimeter waves
Radzievsky AA et al. (2000): Hypoalgesic effect of millimeter waves in mice: dependence on the site of exposure
Pakhomov AG et al. (2000): Low-intensity millimeter waves as a novel therapeutic modality
Pakhomov AG et al. (1997): Search for frequency-specific effects of millimeter-wave radiation on isolated nerve function