Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1975 Jan; 87(1): 25-8.

[The influence of acupuncture analgesia on the sensation and feeling of pain and the autonomic state of the organism (author's transl)]

Pauser G, Reichmann C, Baum M, Benzer H, Haider W, Thoma H.

This study reports the effect of acupuncture on the sensation of pain, feeling of pain and on the autonomic state of the organism. In order to elucidate the problem physiological and psychological parameters were employed. It was observed that the insertion of the needles with electrical stimulation raised the pain threshold. The rise occurred whether a classical acupuncture point or a placebo acupuncture point was used. When the pain was assessed subjectively, it was found that the needling of a classical acupuncture point favourably influenced the experience of pain. Furthermore, persons in whom acupuncture worked well were characterized by a low subjective and objective pain threshold, a slow pulse rate and a high anxiety score.