A randomized cross-over clinical study evaluating the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure, blood glucose and hematological parameters in healthy dogs
Item
Title
A randomized cross-over clinical study evaluating the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure, blood glucose and hematological parameters in healthy dogs
Description
Am J Trad Chin Vet Med (2018), Güçlü Gülanber, Erol.
Abstract
Acupuncture is being used as a medical treatment for diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and immune disorders due to documented positive effects on blood pressure, blood glucose and hematological parameters in research studies and human clinical trials. This study was designed as a randomized crossover experiment to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on blood pressure, blood glucose and hematological parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cell count) in healthy canines. The study recruited 100 healthy dogs which were divided into 2 groups of 50 dogs (Group A, Group B). Dry needle stimulation was performed at acupuncture points LI-4, St-36, GB-34, and Sp-6 by bilateral insertion of needles which remained in place for 20 minutes. Blood pressure, blood glucose and hematology measurements were performed as a repeated measures design (baseline, 20 minutes, 60 minutes, 7 days) where study animals crossed over from 1 treatment (real acupuncture points) to the other treatment (sham acupuncture points) during the trial. Needle insertion performed at real acupoint locations had a significant effect (p<0.0001) on lowering blood glucose values, increasing WBC count (white blood cells) and lowered blood pressure measurement whereas needle insertion at sham sites had no significant changes associated with acupuncture stimulation. The results of this study suggest that acupuncture is a beneficial cost-effective therapeutic modality for disorders affecting the immune system, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
Alternative Title
Am J Trad Chin Vet Med
Creator
Date
Language
English
issn
1945-7677
issue
1
page end
33
page start
25
volume
13