[Inhibitory mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion stimulation on the exteroceptive vibration-induced finger flexion reflex in man].

This study indicates that acupuncture and moxibustion stimulation on one side can inhibit Exteroceptive vibration-induced finger flexion reflex (VFR) produced by vibration on the surface of the skin of fingers of both hands. This was thought to be due to that transmission of impulses in the spinal cord producing VFR was inhibited bilaterally, when unilateral acupuncture or moxibustion stimulus was applied. The degree of inhibition with acupuncture and moxibustion stimulation was, in decreasing order, electroacupuncture (insulated needle), electroacupuncture (stainless needle), leaving needle, indirect moxibustion and cold moxibustion in the ipsilateral side, and the order of the leaving needle and the indirect moxibustion was reversed in the contralateral side. By investigating the effects of stimulation of meridian points and their neighboring places, the location of stimulation where VFR was effectively inhibited was found. Furthermore, the role played by the organization metamerism was demonstrated. Also prostaglandin was considered to mediate the effects of acupuncture stimulation on VFR. Concurrent stimulation of the Hégŭ (LI4) and Băihuì (GV 20) did not inhibit VFR. In many of the subjects with no manifestation of VFR, VFR occurred when acupuncture stimulus was applied to the Băihuì.