Efeitos da acupuntura nos acupontos Shenmen (C-7) e Neiguan (PC-6) sobre a frequência cardíaca, a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e o ritmo cardíaco em cães saudáveis

Acupuncture derives from traditional Chinese medicine, which aims to restore homeostasis. The action mechanism of this technique involves stimulation of certain points on the skin by inserting a needle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of stimulation of acupoints C7 and PC6 on the heart rate variability, heart rate and heart rhythm in healthy dogs. 30 male and female adult dogs were used, with no breed restriction. The animals were analyzed at two different times in weekly intervals. Firstly were applied needles in the true acupoints, and on the second time we applied needles in false acupoints. Previously to the acupuncture an ECG with 2 minutes of recorder was performed, and after an insertion of needles the electrocardiographic recording was maintained during the 30 minutes of acupuncture. Results showed no significant difference between the HR when comparing true and false acupoints (p = 0.890). For heart rate variability a small difference was observed between the groups (p = 0.0051), however, when comparing the baseline with 15 and 25 minutes of monitoring in the false acupoint group, no significant results were found when compared with true acupoint. In conclusion, it is suggested that the stimulation of acupoints C-7 and PC-6 in healthy dogs does not promote change in sympathovagal balance, specifically on the heart rate variability, heart rate and heart rhythm on healthy dogs.