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[Experimental algesimetric study of the hypoalgesic effect of body acupuncture]
P Jöhren1, I Drong, J Jackowski
1Abteilung für Zahnärztliche Chirurgie, Fakultät für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Universität Witten/Herdecke. peterj@uni-wh.de
Aims:
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether body acupuncture is suitable to increase the pre-pain sensitivity threshold (PPST).
Methods:
For this purpose, the PPST was algesimetrically determined after pulpal electric stimulation (baseline) in 24 patients with healthy frontal teeth.
Results And Discussion:
After acupuncture at specific (test group) and unspecific sites (control group, placebo acupuncture), the shift of the PPST was registered. After stimulation of specific acupuncture sites, a mean increase of 110% of the PPST could be obtained. Stimulation at unspecific sites showed only an increase of the PPST of 30%. To which extent this pain reduction is due to a physiological effect on pain reception, or physical irritation, or suggestion could not be verified in this study. Also, the endorphin theory discussed in connection with acupuncture could neither be proved nor disproved. Further controlled clinical studies have to be carried out to prove under clinical conditions the positive results of this experimental algesimetric study.