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Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2018, Pages 323-331

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

Valery Muzhikov (1), Elena Vershinina (2), Ruslan Muzhikov (3), Kirill Nikitin (4)

1. Med Byte Ltd, 195220, St. Petersburg, Gzhatskaya Str. 5/3-139, Russia
2. Laboratory of Information Technologies and Mathematical Simulation, Pavlov Institute of Physiology, 195213, St. Petersburg, Granitnaya Str., 46/2-79, Russia
3. Software Engineering, Med Byte Ltd, 195220, St. Petersburg, Gzhatskaya Str. 5/3-139, Russia
4. Department of Computer Systems & Software Engineering, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 194021, Polytechnicheskaya Str., 21-322, Russia

Abstract

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.

Free full text:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290117302327


Excerpts:

"The main treatment of T2D patients according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods includes electrostimulation [6], [9], laser treatment [10], or acupuncture [7], [8] performed on different reflexotherapy points.

[comment: I didn't know that they had electricity and lasers in Traditional Chinese Medicine!]

"Using different points and approaches to stimulation, the physicians usually refer to the conventional prescriptions or choose the points empirically without any proper theoretical justifications of their actions."

"To find an alternative approach for monitoring and correction in such patients, we became interested in the thermal Koben Akabane test [11], which enables a prompt and effective evaluation of the function of specific organs and systems based on the characteristics of the bioenergetic body profile. It also allows control of the entire carbohydrate metabolism chain to find its weak links. In addition, targeted correction of these systems using reflexotherapy helps to improve the therapeutic effect."

"To quantitatively evaluate a channel's activity level in TCM, the so-called 'sacrificial stick' test was used in ancient times in China. This test involved a burning sandal stick that was brought in proximity to points at the tips of every finger and toe until the first sensation of pain. At each point, the pulse rate before pain was first felt was measured. If the number of pulse beats was lower than the average one for all the channels, it proved the hyperactivity of an acupuncture channel and its corresponding organ. Conversely, when the rate was higher, it represented the inactivity of a channel and its corresponding organ. This test was described by the Japanese doctor Koben Akabane in 1956. Since then, the test has carried his name. This test measures the pain thresholds in temperature sensitivity (TS) when heat is applied to the 'entrance–exit' points of each channel (LU11, LII1, PC9, TE1, HT9, SI1, SP1, LR1, ST45, GB44, KI1, and BL67) by applying an impulse light-emitting diode noncoherent infrared radiation–light onto the skin (f = 1 Hz, lambda = 920 nM), recording the total energy expenditure in joules [12], [13], [14]. Each impulse radiates 0.07 joules of thermal energy. TS is our bodies' basic reactive system; it is as significant as important indicators such as body temperature as it gives a very clear representation of functional and psycho-physiological profiles.

"Each channel consists of the left (l) and the right (r) branch between which normal symmetrical activity balance is maintained."

"Fig. 1 shows the TS profiles at the 12-channel level in patients with T2D compared with normal healthy individuals. In general, a significant difference in the TS profile is noted, especially for the channels associated with the digestive and hormonal systems."

"According to TCM, the high TS values obtained through the test reflect the 'energy emptiness' in the channels. Therefore, the hypofunction of organs and systems associated with this channel is proportional to the increase in their TS values."

"According to TCM theory, kidneys accumulate the energy in the body, and the left branch of KI indicates the energy expenditures, whereas KIr shows the accumulation of the energy; however, the KIr branch is not included in the model because of its unreliable effect. The left (Yan) branch of the channel of the stomach (STl) shows the intensity of the stomach activity. That is why the greater amount of food we eat and the more regularly we eat, the higher the blood glucose level is."

"The Akabene test enables us to obtain adequate information in digital form on the functional activity of different body systems and organs that participate in forming the carbohydrate metabolism chain. Moreover, the patient can perform the test independently by himself within 3 to 5 minutes. This approach, unlike the conventional one, which requires a constant estimation of the glycemic level, provides new principles and possibilities, especially for telemedicine along with wide acceptance of mathematical analysis. The first attempt to implement this idea was made, creating a conceptual bridge between Eastern and Western medicines through the generation of mathematical models."
"
In T2D patients, the high level of glycemia is found in every individual case because of specific combination of different organs and systems. For this reason, there are no universal prescriptions for treatment, especially when using a reflexotherapy. In most cases, we apply two-stage correction scheme.

"At the first stage of data collection, we train the patients to perform the Akabene test on their own."

"Then, a regressive model is generated, after performing 10–15 tests with a maximum deviation in blood glucose level at different times during the day. This model reflects the channels influencing the glycemic level. An individual treatment plan is prepared on the basis of this model.

"To perform the therapeutic stimulation of the targeted points, we use heating stimulation similar to Moksa with the help of modulated infrared radiation [12], [18], [19]. Moreover, the stimulation is performed at asymmetric branches of channels with high values, characterizing the hypofunction according to the 'gateway opening' method for two points, to achieve balance and recover the harmony in the body."

"Hence, this method resolves the problem of effect dose as stimulation of an empty channel with the high Yin is performed through the Yan factor according to a feedback response from the body depending on its needs ('to demand')."

"The device also evaluates the total wasted energy in joules, which enables us to perform a quantitative evaluation of the energy emptiness level in the channel. After such stimulation in 20–30 minutes, a balancing of asymmetry between channel branches occurs, resulting in an energy harmony in the body. The decrease in the glycemic level in T2D usually occurs 1 to 2 hours after the stimulation; in addition, time is needed for the reorganization of complex metabolic processes in the body.

"Then, after several effective stimulations performed under the physician's supervision, we train patients to heat the targeted points by themselves with the help of individual devices [19] or smoldering sandalwood sticks: the patient periodically should put them on the selected points until the first feelings of pain occur."

"In our further research, we plan to synchronize the time of exposure or medication with endogenous biorhythm of various organs and systems on the principles of chronopharmacology. In this case, we can significantly increase the effects of such treatment [12]."


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Comment: it seems that this approach would be dangerous - telling diabetics that they can monitor and treat their elevated blood glucose with the techniques described.