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Acupuncture Congress 2018
Herbal Medicine: Open Access
ISSN: 2472-0151
Page 48
August 20-21, 2018
Dublin, Ireland
9
th
International Conference on
Acupuncture &
Chinese Medicine
Objectives:
This research is intended todetermine if ameasurable,
repeatable and reproducible method could be developed to
demonstrate that acupuncture does or does not affect the fine
motor control of the patient. If a physical change in the fine
motor control (FMC) is caused by acupuncture, we expect to be
able to measure it. We intend to demonstrate that changes in
the fine motor control of the hands may provide a clear indication
whether or not a specific rehab treatment has in fact provided
an appropriate improvement in physiological abilities such as
reaction times, coordination, or timing jitter between the hands’
digits.
Methods:
There are two subject groups composed of 50 subjects
each: 1) subjects receiving acupuncture (both pain and non-pain
relatedconditions), 2) subjectswhowill not receiveacupunctureor
therapeutic intervention. Subjects were tested with FDA approved
medical instrument to determine fine motor capabilities before
and after a pre-set duration of time or acupuncture. Acupuncture
treatment was performed by a licensed acupuncturist. Data was
analyzed by a non-acupuncturist technician and summary reports
were generated.
Results:
Of the 50 acupuncture group subjects studied, 74% had
an immediate positive effect on their FMC capabilities averaging
~+5%. Of the 23 subjects receiving continued acupuncture
therapy, 94% had a long term positive improvement on their FMC
capabilities. The 50 subjects in the control group not receiving any
acupuncture treatments had a positive improvement averaging
+0.6% in 23% of the subjects.
Conclusion:
Monitoring FMC measurements allows outcome-
based decisions to be made which can modify rehab programs
and optimize treatment regimen. Continued studies and research
to understand the bio-mechanisms of acupuncture may help
in designing improved acupuncture standards and protocols
to obtain more optimal and integrative treatment outcomes in
clinical and research work.
Utilizing Fine Motor Control Measurements for Outcome-Based
Acupuncture Practice: An evidence-based research study
Donald J. Lefeber
American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA
Donald J. Lefeber, Herb Med. 2018, Volume 4
DOI: 10.21767/2472-0151-C1-002