The literature regarding the electrical characteristics of acupoints was reviewed, and the confounding factors (indoor temperature and humidity, criteria of acupoint selection, use of electrical resistance instruments) were summarized and analyzed. It was proposed that during the measurement, the indoor temperature should be constant and in the state of heat adaptation as much as possible; the effects of humidity on resistance value should be reduced to stabilize the heat loss of skin through evaporation; the acupoint selection and manipulation should be in accordance with agreed standard; attention should be paid to the operation and instruction of the instrument, in combination with experiment purpose. As a result, the repeatability and reliability of research results of electrical characteristics of acupoints could be improved.

OBJECTIVETo explore the acupoint electrosensitivity and regularity for assisting the clinical diagnosis and treatment so as to improve the clinical therapeutic effects.

METHODSBy means of the computer retrieval (CBMdisc, CNKI, VIP, WanFang, PubMed and EMBASE) and manual retrieval, the relevant literature on acupoint electrosensitivity was reviewed and the modern literature database of acupoint electrosensitivity was established. Using bibliometric, the relations were analyzed among the detected indexes, acupoints, meridians and disorders in the conditions of acupoint electrosensitivity, and the potential regularity was explored.

RESULTSThe general detection indexes of acupoint electrosensitivity were resistance, inertia area, volt-ampere area, electric conduction quantity, electric potential, electric current and capacitance. The electrosensitive points included meridian points, auricular points and extraordinary points. Among those points, the electrosensitivity easily occurred at the special points.

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint electrosensitivity is mainly reflected on the electrical impedance and volt-ampere characteristics. The relative specificity exists between acupoint electrosensitivity and disorders. In clinical practice, detecting acupoint electrosensitivity may assist the diagnosis and instruct acupoint selection to improve the clinical therapeutic effects.