Alteration in Infrared Thermal Imaging by Use of Acupuncture-like Electric Stimulation on Finger Control Gate

Acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(ALTENS) on acupuncture site(dorsal and ventral side of finger) were compared with a placebo site(forearm) by infrared thermal imaging. Six disease-free volunteers underwent, on different days, an ALTENS treatment and a placebo treatment in a cross-over sequences of stimulation control and inhibition control in excess of 50 treatments. ALTENS treatments were given at 30Hz at an intensity just below pain threshold delivered to acupuncture points on fingers. Placebo stimulations were administered in similar manner. After every thirty minutes of ALTENS and placebo treatment with stimulation, inhibition control sequence and vice versa, we examined whole body infrared thermal imaging and checked changed skin temperature on frontal, anterior chest, upper and lower abdomen, dorsal and ventral aspect of hand, thoracic and lumbar area, anterior and posterior aspect of lower leg. There were significant skin temperature elevations with ALTENS treatment, especially finger control gate corresponding organ area. Placebo treatment revealed no skin temperature change. We concluded that ALTENS on finger control gate influence physiologic state as opposed to conventional electric stimulation.