Thermopuncture for the Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a socially significant disease that affects millions of patients. There were an estimated 366 million people with this disease in 2011, and, according to the forecast, approximately 552 million will be affected by this disease in 2030. It is well known that the primary diagnosis and treatment of a patient with this disease are quite expensive. What should be done to make it possible for a patient to monitor his own state and provide treatment in his own home using telemedicine? To solve this problem, an alternative concept for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment at the basis of traditional Chinese medicine combined with mathematical methods of data processing has been used. METHODS/DESIGN: To assess the pattern thresholds of acupuncture channels of heat sensitivity in patients with T2D, the Akabane test was performed on 160 men and 243 women (total 696 tests), including the dynamics of surveillance. For comparison, a group of healthy individuals comprising 116 men and 277 women also participated. RESULTS: It was found that the main difference between patients with T2D and the healthy individuals is the presence of a pronounced asymmetry between the right and left branches of the canals, primarily in the digestive system. At the same time, the level of asymmetry increases with the increase in the glycemic level. This dependence allows for the early diagnosis of T2D. Moreover, a targeted stimulation of the definite channels with a high level of asymmetry based on the individual calculations can decrease the glycemic level. CONCLUSION: The combination of the Akabane test with the use of mathematical analysis in patients with T2D makes it possible to trace the entire chain of carbohydrate metabolism at an individual level and to identify the compensatory mechanisms for more effective treatment of reflexotherapy methods. This kind of treatment and monitoring can also be performed by the patient independently in his own home.

Assessing the Links Between Anthropometrics Data and Akabane Test Results.

According to popular belief, metabolic disorders and imbalances are one of the main factors contributing to various human illnesses. Early diagnosis of these disorders is one of the main methods for preventing serious diseases. The goal of this study was to assess the correlations between main physical indicators and the activity of certain acupuncture channels using the thermal Akabane test based on ancient Chinese diagnostic methods. This test measures the pain thresholds' temperature sensitivity when a point source of heat is applied to the "entrance-exit" points of each channel. The skin temperature sensitivity in our bodies is a basic reactive system; it is as significant as such important indicators as body temperature and provides a very clear representation of functional and psychophysiological profiles. On the basis of our statistical study, we revealed reliable correspondence between the activity of certain acupuncture channels and main anthropometric and biometric data.

Comparative Assessment of the Heart's Functioning by Using the Akabane Test and Classical Methods of Instrumental Examination.

Acupuncture physicians have studied the application of reflexotherapy to cardiology. However, no one has investigated the connection of ancient Chinese diagnostic methods with modern tools. A total of 102 patients (54 men and 48 women) with heart pathology, namely, sick-sinus syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and atrioventricular blockade, were studied using the usual instrumental methods (transesophageal electrophysiological study of the heart, echocardiography), after which they underwent Akabane thermopuncture testing as in traditional Chinese medicine. The results of cardio examination from one side of the Akabane test with that from the other side were compared by means of a multiple stepwise regression analysis. We revealed the effects on the characteristic pattern of acupuncture channel lesions inherent in a definite heart pathology, i.e., the most vulnerable acupuncture channel (AC), of such factors as disturbances of the contractile, conductive, or automatic heart functions, and changes in the chambers' size or circulation volume. Сhanges in the indices of the left and the right branches of these channels usually reflect the opposing natures of the changes in these indicators, which should be considered in reflexotherapy. The main value of the Akabane test along with the use of mathematical analysis lies in early, quick, and inexpensive detection of the above-mentioned heart disturbances.

Significant heat sensitivity increase detected in various types of diabetes mellitus patients by Akabane test for use of management of diabetic patients.

In order to assess patterns of heat sensitivity thresholds in patients with diabetes mellitus, the Akabane test was carried out on patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (250 men and 309 women) and patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (158 men and 227 women). For comparison, a group of healthy subjects made up of 116 men and 277 women was also used. As soon as we revealed the influence of factors of pathology with a high significance level and gender and the interaction "gender*pathology", all the results are described separately for groups of men and women and for groups with IDDM and NIDDM. Simple effects of paired comparisons between healthy subjects, IDDM and NIDDM in groups of men and women, as well as comparisons between the profiles of men and women with IDDM and NIDDM showed significant differences between ACs in healthy subjects and those with each type of diabetes. The most significant differences are seen in the AC connected with the digestive system (SP pancreas channel), LR (liver channel), ST (stomach channel), GB (gall bladder channel). Thus, we revealed characteristic pattern of acupuncture channels (AC) lesions inherent to diabetes pathology, i.e. most vulnerable in diabetes ACs, being compromised in dependence from such factors, as type of diabetes, hyper or hypoglycemia, and from gender. The main value of the method lies in the fact that we observe the entire food chain from food ingestion to the utilization of carbohydrates with the opportunity to assess the activity of each organ and its regulatory contribution. On the basis of the body's response, an individual selection of medicines can be made, and by evaluating the individual biorhythms it is possible to determine the optimal time of administration.