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KMID : 1129720070240040085
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Korean Journal of Acupuncture
2007 Volume.24 No. 4 p.85 ~ p.98
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Acupuncture point locations in experimental animals, how are they described?
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Sim Seong-Youn
Lee Hyang-Sook
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Abstract
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Objectives: Standardization and clear description of locating acupuncture points guarantees reproducibility and credibility of the results in animal studies of acupuncture points and meridians. In this study, we aimed at analyzing the acupoint description of the previous experimental studies and suggesting guidelines for related journals.
Methods: We searched animal studies where acupuncture points were used in Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Meridian & Acupoint with a limitation of period, from 2002 to 2006. Data on experimental animals, acupuncture points and their descriptions were extracted and put in a predefined form. They were classified as one of the 4 classes; A) descriptions of the acupuncture points present, B) no description of the acupuncture points and only reference provided, C) neither description of the acupuncture points nor reference provided, or D) acupuncture point detector used. Two authors independently extracted and classified the data and the disagreements were resolved by discussion. Experts were invited to rate acupuncture point description validity on a numeric rating scale in the 11-item questionnaire.
Results: Two hundred and five studies were identified and classified as follows; A) 32.2% (n=66), B) 7.8% (n=16), C) 51.2% (n=105), and D) 8.8% (n=18). Experts ratings were significantly lower for class C (meanSD, 2.141.35, 95% CI [1.90, 2.39], P = 0.004 compared with class B, P 0.001 compared with class A or C) and no difference was found between classes A, B, and D.
Conclusions: Reporting of acupuncture points in experimental animals is poor and validity and reliability of the result from such reporting is hampered. We suggest that journal editors and experts provide guidelines for reporting animal acupuncture points and adopt them into guide for authors for related journals.
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KEYWORD
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acupuncturepoint, location, guideline
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