Acupuncture at P6, Liv 3 and Li 4 attenuates the increase
in blood pressure during mental stress in healthy humans. The
purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that
acupuncture at these points has a generalized depressor effect
seen during other stimuli to the autonomic nervous system.
Thirty-eight healthy humans (mean age 33 ± 13 years) performed
handgrip exercise (n = 20) or the cold pressor test (n = 18)
before and after acupuncture at P6, Liv 3 and Li4. To control
for repeated interventions, subjects underwent an identical
protocol on a different day, during which acupuncture was
replaced by quiet rest. Blood pressure and heart rate increased
similarly during the first and repeat intervention (handgrip or
cold pressor test). Acupuncture did not attenuate the increase
in blood pressure (delta mean arterial pressure [MAP] 9.3 ± 1.8
vs 7.3 ± 3.1 mmHg) or the increase in heart rate (delta heart
rate [HR] 6.7 ± 2.1 vs 6.0 ± 2.0 bpm) during handgrip exercise.
Similarly, acupuncture did not attenuate the increase in blood
pressure (delta mean arterial pressure [MAP] 14.8 ± 5.0 vs 14.8
± 4.8 mmHg) or the increase in heart rate (delta heart rate [HR]
5.3 ± 2.1 vs 8.7 ± 3.6 bpm) during the cold pressor test. In
summary, in normal healthy humans, acupuncture at P6, Liv 3 and
Li 4 does not attenuate the blood pressure or heart rate
responses during handgrip exercise or the cold pressor
test.