Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals

Abstract Objective This study aims to investigate the monthly variation patterns of bioelectrical impedance (BEI) along 24 meridian pathways in healthy individuals. Methods A cohort of 684 healthy middle-aged participants from North China was enrolled between July 1, 2017, and September 5, 2020. BEI...

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Main Authors: Yu-Chen Xu, Xiu-Yan Cao, Shuai Liu, Bo Liu, Hao Chen, Min Cheng, Wei-Hua Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BioMedical Engineering OnLine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01335-2
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author Yu-Chen Xu
Xiu-Yan Cao
Shuai Liu
Bo Liu
Hao Chen
Min Cheng
Wei-Hua Ye
author_facet Yu-Chen Xu
Xiu-Yan Cao
Shuai Liu
Bo Liu
Hao Chen
Min Cheng
Wei-Hua Ye
author_sort Yu-Chen Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aims to investigate the monthly variation patterns of bioelectrical impedance (BEI) along 24 meridian pathways in healthy individuals. Methods A cohort of 684 healthy middle-aged participants from North China was enrolled between July 1, 2017, and September 5, 2020. BEI measurements were consistently recorded along the 24 meridian pathways over the study period. The collected BEI data were subjected to statistical analysis, and line charts were constructed to depict the temporal variation patterns. Results Analysis revealed that BEI values along the 24 meridian pathways followed a normal distribution over a 12-month period. In the first group of meridians, which includes the lung, large intestine, heart, small intestine, pericardium, and triple-energizer meridians, significant monthly variations were observed. The second group, comprising the spleen, stomach, bladder, kidney, gallbladder, and liver meridians, exhibited marked differences primarily between March and April (P < 0.05), with a peak in April and relatively stable values thereafter. Synchronous BEI fluctuations were evident on the left and right sides of the body, and both groups of meridian pathways displayed similar variation patterns. These patterns largely corresponded to fluctuations observed in the spleen meridian. Conclusion The consistent monthly variation patterns in BEI along the 24 meridian pathways among healthy middle-aged individuals align with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts of meridians and collaterals. The spleen meridian, in particular, appears to play a crucial role in influencing these bioelectrical fluctuations, as posited in TCM theory. From a bioelectrical standpoint, this study provides empirical support for the potential existence and functionality of meridians and collaterals, offering a scientific perspective that complements ancient TCM principles.
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spelling doaj-art-2289906a3dbf430baa86e895cb8070582025-01-19T12:33:09ZengBMCBioMedical Engineering OnLine1475-925X2025-01-0124111910.1186/s12938-025-01335-2Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individualsYu-Chen Xu0Xiu-Yan Cao1Shuai Liu2Bo Liu3Hao Chen4Min Cheng5Wei-Hua Ye6Beijing University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General HospitalAbstract Objective This study aims to investigate the monthly variation patterns of bioelectrical impedance (BEI) along 24 meridian pathways in healthy individuals. Methods A cohort of 684 healthy middle-aged participants from North China was enrolled between July 1, 2017, and September 5, 2020. BEI measurements were consistently recorded along the 24 meridian pathways over the study period. The collected BEI data were subjected to statistical analysis, and line charts were constructed to depict the temporal variation patterns. Results Analysis revealed that BEI values along the 24 meridian pathways followed a normal distribution over a 12-month period. In the first group of meridians, which includes the lung, large intestine, heart, small intestine, pericardium, and triple-energizer meridians, significant monthly variations were observed. The second group, comprising the spleen, stomach, bladder, kidney, gallbladder, and liver meridians, exhibited marked differences primarily between March and April (P < 0.05), with a peak in April and relatively stable values thereafter. Synchronous BEI fluctuations were evident on the left and right sides of the body, and both groups of meridian pathways displayed similar variation patterns. These patterns largely corresponded to fluctuations observed in the spleen meridian. Conclusion The consistent monthly variation patterns in BEI along the 24 meridian pathways among healthy middle-aged individuals align with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts of meridians and collaterals. The spleen meridian, in particular, appears to play a crucial role in influencing these bioelectrical fluctuations, as posited in TCM theory. From a bioelectrical standpoint, this study provides empirical support for the potential existence and functionality of meridians and collaterals, offering a scientific perspective that complements ancient TCM principles.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01335-2Bioelectrical impedanceMeridians and collateralsPeriodic monitoringPortable devices
spellingShingle Yu-Chen Xu
Xiu-Yan Cao
Shuai Liu
Bo Liu
Hao Chen
Min Cheng
Wei-Hua Ye
Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
BioMedical Engineering OnLine
Bioelectrical impedance
Meridians and collaterals
Periodic monitoring
Portable devices
title Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
title_full Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
title_fullStr Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
title_full_unstemmed Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
title_short Portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
title_sort portable devices for periodic monitoring of bioelectrical impedance along meridian pathways in healthy individuals
topic Bioelectrical impedance
Meridians and collaterals
Periodic monitoring
Portable devices
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01335-2
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