Physiologic study of pressure point techniques used in the martial arts

Background. Study physiologic changes occurring during "knockouts" produced by application of pressure point techniques during martial arts demonstrat ions. Methods. Experimental design: prospective analysis of physiologic variables during and immediately following an acute event. Setting: martial arts dem onstration carried out at a medical center hospital. Subjects: 12 normal vo lunteers participating in a martial arts demonstration. Interventions: appl ication of various pressure point techniques that have been observed to pro duce states of unresponsiveness in volunteers. Measures: continuous ECG and video/EEG monitoring with measurements of blood pressure and oxygen satura tion. Qualitative analysis of EEG and ECG recordings and quantitative compa rison of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation measurements bef ore during and after the period of induced unconsciousness. Results. No significant changes in blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cardi ac rate or rhythm, or electroencephalogram are noted during the knockouts p roduced by application of pressure point techniques. There was only variabl e inability for subjects to remember words spoken to them during the episod e of apparent unresponsiveness. Conclusions. The mechanism for the state of unresponsiveness produced by ap plication of pressure point techniques is not related to a significant card iac or pulmonary process. There is no evidence of reduced cerebral blood fl ow during this time or of other dangerous physiologic changes. The exact me chanism for this phenomenon remains uncertain.