2nd Intemational Conference on Bioelectromagnetism February 1998, Melboume AUSTRALIA Observation of Human Impedance at 50 kHz for Analysis of Acupuncture Points Suhariningsih Department of Physics, Airlangga University Surabaya - Indonesia Hiroshi Kanai Department of Electronics and Electrical Enginering, Sophia University, Tokyo - Japan Abstract ‘Human skin impedance was measured at 50 KHZ. ‘The measurements were performed on puta acupuncture poists and surrounding sites of the pericardium and lung meridian located on the skin between the metacarpophalangeal joints and elbow of a healthy volunteer. Results showed acupuncture point could be| identified by skin impedance measured with a 3 mm diameter searching electrode. Introduction Acupuncture points may show special electrical properties. Various investigations have been taken to locate these points by using skin impedance ‘measurements, However, some questions had been raised by this technique. For example, Carrol and Rowley (1979) pointed that the impedance was mostly due to the constribstion of the stratum corneum layers of the epidermis. A high resistance could be present because of this layer and the value appeared to decrease by stripping the skin (Yamamoto, 1994). The purpose ofthis study was t@ check the skin impedance measuring, technique for deterfnining acupuncture points. “Methods and progedure ‘The measuring bystem was composed of a precission LCR meter (HP4284A) equipped with a text fixture (HP16947C) and [controlled by @ personal computer ‘through GPIB (general purpose interface bus). A Constant current pf 50 wA at 50 kHz was applied between two electodes which were made of stainless steel, connected to| the LCR meter. One electrode was 20 mm in diameter, and it fixed during the measurement The small searching electrode was 1 or 2mm in diameter. The impedance of the fixed electrode was negligible because of its larger contact area, and thus the impedance was determine by the skin contact junction at fewer electrode Before performing the impedance measurements, removal of the stratum corneum layer was carried out by stepwise stripping using cellulose tape which was pressed on the working area of skin and stripped off ten times. Twenty five points around an acupuncture point were chosen and Igcated by a $x$ grid in 1 cm? which ‘was attached onto {he skin With the searching electrode moving, the resistance, R, and reactance, X- at those: points were measuied and repeated six times. 7 Result ‘We focused our study on the easily accessible parts of two meridians, the pericardium (P) and lung (LU), located on the skin between the metacarpophalangeal Joint and elbow. Impedance measurements were taken ‘on the skin of a healthy female adult volunteer. The acupuncture points studied were P4, PS and LU6. The impedance measurements were performed at putative acupuncture points and surrounding sites. The measured data were collected and subjected to a T-test for analyzing the difference of the impedance values between the putative acupuncture points and surrounding sites, and between the meridian and surrounding sites. The results were summarized in following table Table The difference of impedance value (Q) = Ime d= 2mm a [Re Reape [PS 1s 3e7_| 007085 Ps os = es | ons ono Ly 094 4 | om ost p> 005 p< 005 Meridian [Per Te | om abe Per 35413 | mono mg | 064 209 | ore a39 p> 0.05 p< 005 With this study, it seemed possible to distinguish the acupuncture points from surrounding sites (P<0.05) by using the impedance measuring technique with @ searching electrode of 2 mm in diameter. The present study also demonstrated of the existence of acupuncture ‘meridians (P<0.05) as iow impedance lines. ‘Acknowledgment Ms, Suhariningsih, thanks to STEC for providing her ‘with the fellowship “Sophia Lecturing Research Grant” for this work in Sophia University, Lu Yongjun in the study. References [1] Carrol GD, Rowley BA. “An investigation of the existence of electrically located acupuncture points”, IEEE Tran. Biomed.Eng, BME 26:177- 181, 1979 ‘Yamamoto Y. “Measurement and analysis of skin electrical impedance", Acia Derm Yeneral, Scandinavian, University Press, Suppl. 184 : 34-38, 1994 2