Journal Home
Search for

Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 7-14 (March 2010)


View previous. 3 of 7 View next.

Acute and chronic effects of acupuncture on radial artery: A randomized double blind study in migraine

Pierre BoutouyrieabcCorresponding Author Information, Robert Corvisierabc, Kim-Than Ongabc, Claire Vulserc, Catherine Lassalled, Michel Aziziac, Brigitte Lalouxabc, Stéphane Laurentabcemail address

Received 22 September 2009; received in revised form 11 December 2009; accepted 23 December 2009. published online 22 February 2010.

Abstract 

Background

Acupuncture is an accepted treatment for migraine. Palpation of the radial pulses is one of the most important techniques in traditional Chinese medicine both for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment efficacy. The objective of the present study was to investigate the acute and chronic effects of acupuncture on the radial artery of patients suffering from severe migraine.

Methods

A double-blind parallel group study was conducted in 31 patients never exposed to acupuncture and randomized in two groups : real acupuncture versus sham acupuncture, applied 3 times at one month interval. At baseline and after 2 months, radial artery diameter was measured with a high resolution echotracking system before and during a 20 min’s acupuncture session. Migraine severity was assessed by self administrated questionnaires and visual analogic scale for pain at each visit. Patients and investigators (not acupuncture physician) were blinded as to the treatment allocation.

Results

During the first session, radial artery diameter significantly increased after real acupuncture, (+3.1% IQR [−3.2–8.5], P = 0.03 vs 0.9% IQR [−5.3–5.8], P = NS), and remained significantly higher after the two months treatment course 5.2% IQR [−3.9–14] vs. −4.4% IQR [−10.0–3.5], respectively; P < 0.01). Patients with the most severe pain at baseline were less prone to dilate their arteries during follow-up (P < 0.05). A larger arterial vasodilatation after real acupuncture was observed for any given level of pain intensity (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

an acupuncture-induced vasodilatation was observed at the site of the radial artery in patients suffering from severe migraine and naïve to acupuncture. The vasodilatation was maintained after chronic treatment.

Condensed abstract

This double-blind randomized, controlled trial aimed at showing the acute and chronic vasodilatory response to acupuncture in migrainers naïve to acupuncture. We show that real acupuncture is accompanied by acute and chronic vasodilation of the radial artery, the chronic vasodilation is inversely related to the level of pain at baseline.

a Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France

b INSERM U970, Paris, France

c Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France

d Fondation Ophtalmologique Rothschild, Paris, France

Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Département de Pharmacologie et Unité INSERM U 970, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, 20 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France. Tel.: +33 1 56 09 39 91; fax: +33 1 56 09 39 92.

PII: S1872-9312(10)00002-5

doi:10.1016/j.artres.2009.12.003


View previous. 3 of 7 View next.