We investigated to determine the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for approximately 30 infantile asthma patients using oscilloscopic analysis of breath sounds. For the oscilloscopic analysis of the inspiratiom sounds the weak electric courrent which was repeated in the examined sound element was amplified and recorded using a pen oscillograph manufactured by Sanei Sokki. Based on this wave pattern we determined the effect of acupuncture therapy. The method can reproduce and record the breath sounds and other related sounds which arise from the characteristic expiratory dyspnea associated with bronchial asthma.
The treatment method we attempted consisted of first performing classical diagnosis according to Kono's muscle diagnosis methods to determine the affected meridian. Mother-son (tonifying and sedating) points were then selected according to the affected meridian and depending on the deficiency or excess a magnetic pole of about 500 gauss fixed in place. The determination of therapeutic effects was based on a comparison of pre-post treatment respiration sound oscillograms and judged according to the improvement in the brearth sound picture or a general evaluation of conditions according to observation.
Generally in allergic type asthma patients an autonomic nerve disorder is indicated in most cases. In particular the characteristic contractions of the bronchial muscles often come from an abnormal condition of the parasympathetic nerves.
This method of breath sound analysis can be considered a positive measure in distinguishing the effectiveness of acupuncture insertion in asthma therapy.