Inhibitor effect of acupuncture on the vibration-induced grasp reflex in man

The effect of acupuncture on the grasp reflex caused by mechanical vibrations of fingers produced by a cylinder-type vibrator (120 Hz) was studied in healthy man. As the hand grasped the vibrator during vibration, the volar surface of all fingers was simultaneously stimulated, resulting in a gradually increased force of the grasp, the vibration-induced grasp reflex (VGR). The VGR was inhibited by acupuncture with needles inserted into three acupuncture points (Shou Sanli, Chicheng and Szutu), but not into other sites in the hand.