Acupuncture increases parasympathetic tone, modulating HRV - Systematic review and meta-analysis

Sz Hamvas; P Hegyi; Sz Kiss; Sz Lohner; D McQueen; M Havasi

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102905

Acupuncture increases parasympathetic tone, modulating HRV - Systematic review and meta-analysis

Complement Ther Med. 2023 Mar:72:102905. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102905. Epub 2022 Dec 6.

Authors

Sz Hamvas¹, P Hegyi², Sz Kiss³, Sz Lohner⁴, D McQueen⁵, M Havasi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Doctorate School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute for Translational Medicine, Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. Electronic address: hamvaskukac@yahoo.com.
² Institute for Translational Medicine, Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Division of Pancreatic Diseases, Heart and Vascular Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
³ Institute for Translational Medicine, Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, Budapest, Hungary.
⁴ Cochrane Hungary, Clinical Centre of the University of Pécs, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
⁵ Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁶ Doctorate School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Institute for Translational Medicine, Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.

PMID: 36494036
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102905

Abstract

Introduction: An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can influence Autonomic Nervous System functions. Heart Rate variability (HRV) is one widely used marker of autonomic activity. The main objective of this systematic review is to critically assess the evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of acupuncture on HRV as compared to placebo methods.

Method: EMBASE, Pubmed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus electronic databases were searched until 9 September 2020 for RCTs in which human subjects were treated with needle acupuncture using acupoints of the body without electric stimulation.

Results: The searches identified 1698 potentially relevant articles, 9 RCTs were included. The statistical analysis of the available data showed that the changes between pre and post treatment HF (high frequency) and LF/HF (high frequency/low frequency) values in Verum group were significant, while there were no significant changes in these parameters in Sham groups.

Conclusion: the results of this meta-analysis suggest that real acupuncture has superior effect over placebo acupuncture in increasing parasympathetic tone and in this way may improve physical well-being. Due to the quality of primary studies and degree of heterogeneity the results should be interpreted cautiously.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Autonomic nervous system; Heart rate variability.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture Therapy* / methods
Acupuncture*
Autonomic Nervous System / physiology
Heart Rate / physiology
Humans