Wave-Induced Flow in Meridians Demonstrated Using Photoluminescent Bioceramic Material on Acupuncture Points

Table 3

Meridian-related publications (2000–2013) that used evidence-based scientific methods.

Researchers	Method	Finding or hypothesis
Zhang et al. [30]	Single-power alternating current (SPAC) instrument	The subcutaneous impedance is lower at the low-impedance points as measured by the SPAC, two-electrode method.
Langevin and Yandow [31]	Ultrasound and postmortem tissue sections	The sites of acupuncture points are at locations of intermuscular or intramuscular connective tissue planes
Ahn et al. [32]	Ultrasound and electrical impedance instrument	The acupuncture point probably located on the skin overlying the fascial plane separating the muscles.
Brătilă and Moldovan [33]	Harmonic medicine: harmonic sounds stimulate the lung (LU; shoutaiyin feijing) and kidney (KI; zushaoyin shenjing) meridians	Resonance can be developed using music to stimulate acupuncture points. In this kind of acupunctural stimulation, a symphony may act and play a listening role.
Choi and Soh [34]	Optical fiber from a tungsten-halogen lamp	Light propagates more efficiently along the meridian than the reference path, demonstrating a 20% or greater difference among all tested participants.
Schlebusch et al. [35]	(1) Moxibustion; (2) Similar light stimulation; (3) Infrared detector; within 3–5 𝜇m range	Light channels appear within the body, seemingly identical to meridians.
Schlünzen et al. [36]	Positron emission tomography (PET); Cerebral blood flow in healthy humans	The penetration of the skin by using needles affects the medial frontal gyrus, whereas acupuncture of the LI-4 influences the putamen.
de Souza et al. [37]	Bioavailability of radio-pharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate	Uptake of the radiopharmaceutical in organs.
Zhang et al. [38]	Highly sensitive CO2 instruments	The high correlation of transcutaneous CO2 emissions along the meridian may illustrate that the metabolism on the meridian has similar changes or relationships. A strong correlation of energy metabolism activity exists among the body surfaces along the meridian, and an even stronger correlation exists among the acupoints on the meridian.
Lee et al. [39]	Optimal stimulator frequency of 40 Hz through the pericardium meridian; Hydrodynamic analysis	The mean transfer speed in the meridian (4 m/s) was significantly lower than it was in the adjacent control region (8.5 m/s, 𝑃<0.001). Significant differences existed between the meridian and control points in attenuation rate (𝑃<0.001) and peak amplitude (𝑃<0.001). This implies that the composition of the meridian differs from that of the adjacent control regions.
Zhang et al. [40]	(1) Hydromechanic model; (a) Guyton’s method; (b) Single pressure transducer; (c) Two pressure transducers provided more stable measurement; (2) The transmission of interstitial fluid pressure wave; (3) Presentation of the channel by isotopic migration	The findings support the hypothesis that the interstitial fluid channels form the physiological and morphological basis of the acupuncture meridians described in detail by the ancient Chinese more than 2000 years ago.