Begell House Inc.
Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering
CRB
0278-940X
34
4
2006
Bioengineering Assessment of Acupuncture, Part 2: Monitoring of Microcirculation
273-294
10.1615/CritRevBiomedEng.v34.i4.10
Gerhard
Litscher
TCM Research Center Graz and Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
In the second part of the review article, monitoring of microcirculation during acupuncture is described. Laser Doppler flowmetry and laser Doppler imaging provide easy-to-use, noninvasive, real-time measurements of local tissue blood flow. Using these types of biomedical equipment, it is possible to quantify and objectify peripheral changes in microcirculation during different methods of acupuncture stimulation (manual needle acupuncture and laserneedle acupuncture).
Bioengineering Assessment of Acupuncture, Part 3: Ultrasound
295-326
10.1615/CritRevBiomedEng.v34.i4.20
Gerhard
Litscher
TCM Research Center Graz and Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
Multidirectional transcranial ultrasound monitoring can be used to prove quantifiable effects of acupuncture stimulation in the brain. This third part of the review article gives a short introduction in monitoring cerebral blood flow velocity and summarizes the scientific results in this area of research. New constructions from the Medical University of Graz that can be used for evidence-based computer-controlled acupuncture are described. With these new methods and concepts, reproducible effects of needle and laserneedle acupuncture stimulation in cerebral blood flow velocity can be objectified for the first time.
Bioengineering Assessment of Acupuncture, Part 4: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
327-345
10.1615/CritRevBiomedEng.v34.i4.30
Gerhard
Litscher
TCM Research Center Graz and Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
In the fourth part of this review article, research on the topic of acupuncture and functional magnetic resonance imaging is described. Needle as well as painless laserneedle stimulation have led to significant changes in different areas of the brain. With the help of modern biomedical engineering equipment and neuroscience, some of acupuncture's secrets have begun to be revealed. The neuro-modulating effects require further investigation in a larger population sample.