Transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation as a countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning during 4 days of head-down bed rest in humans.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Spaceflight is associated with cardiovascular deregulation. However, the influence of microgravity on the cardiovascular system and its mechanisms and countermeasures remain unknown. Our previous studies have demonstrated that transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation (TEAS) is effective in improving orthostatic tolerance (OT). The purpose of this study was to determine if TEAS treatment can attenuate cardiovascular deconditioning induced by a 4-day -6° head-down bed rest (HDBR).

Methods

Fourteen healthy male subjects were randomly allocated to a control group (control, n=6, 4 days HDBR without countermeasures) and a TEAS treatment group (TEAS, n=8, 4 days HDBR with TEAS at Neiguan (PC6) for 30 min each day for 4 consecutive days during HDBR). OT, plasma ho

SUBMITTER: Sun J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4680135 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature