SLEEP PATTERN CHANGES UNDER NOCTURNAL ACU PRESSURE IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

To test the somnogenic properties of the automassage of point 7 heart of acupuncture, polygraphic night sleep was studied in sin healthy vol unteers (age: 27.8 +/- 1.6 years) from 23:00 h to 07:00 h. After one n ight of adaptation, two PEBA cones (Polyether Block Amides; lsocones(R )) were fired bilaterally at both points 7 heart (active application, AA) or on the back of hand (placebo application, AP). The alternate ap plication was used 2 weeks later, using a randomized, double-blind, an d cross-over protocol. Cyclic alternating patterns (CAP) were also ana lysed on the electroencephalogram during non-REM sleep. Sleep efficien cy increased in AA, due to a decrease in wakefulness, and an increase in total sleep time due to an increase in non-REM sleep. The number of CAP decreased in AA, as did the number of CAP sequences and the ratio of CAP duration to total sleep time (CAP rate) and to the duration of slow-wave sleep. In conclusion, the application of Isocones'' at poin t 7 heart during the night induced a decrease in wakefulness and an in crease in non-REM sleep during night sleep in healthy subjects.