Effects of Far Infrared Acupoint Stimulation on Autonomic Activity and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients
Resource
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE v.37 n.2 pp.215-226
Journal
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
Pages
215-226
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
Patients receiving regular hemodialysis sessions have been known to suffer from fatigue and depression. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of far infrared ray ( FIR) stimulation on acupoints of patients suffering from renal failure who are receiving regular hemodialysis. Patients receiving long-term and regular hemodialysis who volunteered for this procedure were randomly selected to undergo either FIR or heat pad (HP) therapy to determine the impact of FIR treatment on these patients. Both the activities of the autonomic nervous system and changes in quality of life were measured before and after treatment to determine the effectiveness of the FIR treatment. Results from this study show that FIR therapy decreases both stress and fatigue levels of these patients. It also stimulates autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in patients who are diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and are receiving regular hemodialysis (HD). Therefore, benefits of FIR stimulation on these patients are clearly demonstrated in this preliminary study.
Subjects
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Hemodialysis (HD)
Acupoint Therapy
Quality of Life (QOL)
Far Infrared Ray (FIR)
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; aged; article; autonomic nervous system; Chinese medicine; clinical trial; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; depression; fatigue; female; hemodialysis patient; human; hyperthermic therapy; kidney failure; major clinical study; male; quality of life; randomization; randomized controlled trial; stress; volunteer; Acupuncture; Adult; Female; Humans; Hyperthermia, Induced; Infrared Rays; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Renal Dialysis
Type
journal article