Feasibility study of transfer function model on electrocardiogram change caused by acupuncture.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Acupuncture is utilized for various heart-related conditions.
• Quantitative models for acupuncture's cardiac effects are lacking.
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are key indicators of heart activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a transfer function model for acupuncture stimulation effects on ECGs.
• To analyze ECG changes during and after acupuncture.
• To establish a quantitative basis for acupuncture's cardiac regulation.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a clinical trial with 14 healthy subjects.
• Recorded 5-minute ECGs before, during, and after acupuncture at the HT7 acupoint.
• Derived individual and generalized transfer functions using signal-averaged ECGs.

Main Results:

• A transfer function with a 4th order numerator and 5th order denominator showed the best fit.
• 14 individual transfer functions were generated for different time periods.
• Three generalized transfer functions were derived, reflecting ECG changes due to acupuncture.

Conclusions:

• The derived transfer functions may represent ECG alterations from acupuncture.
• The study included a small sample size (14 subjects).
• Further research with larger control groups is recommended to validate findings.