Three-Dimensional Finger Motion Tracking during Needling: A Solution for the Kinematic Analysis of Acupuncture Manipulation

Summary

This experimental method describes a solution for the kinematic analysis of acupuncture manipulation with three-dimensional finger motion tracking technology.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) motion tracking has been used in many fields, such as the researches of sport and medical skills. This experiment aimed to use 3D motion tracking technology to measure the kinematic parameters of the joints of fingers during acupuncture manipulation (AM) and establish three technical indicators "amplitude, velocity and time". This method can reflect the operation characteristics of AM and provide quantitative parameters along three axes of multiple finger joints. The current evidence shows that the method has great potential for future applications such as the study of the dose-effect relationship of acupuncture, teaching, and learning of AM, and the measurement and preservation of famous acupuncturists' AM.

Introduction

As a kind of the clinical skills of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and physical stimulation, acupuncture manipulation (AM) is often regarded as an important factor that affects the therapeutic effect of acupuncture^1,2. Many studies have confirmed that different AM or different stimulation parameters (needling velocity, amplitude, frequency, etc.) of the same AM resulted in different therapeutic effects^3,4,5,6,7. Therefore, the measurement of rel....

Protocol

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Yueyang Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (reference no. 2021-062), and each participant signed an informed consent form.

1. Experiment preparations

1. Camera settings:
   1. Place three tripods in front of the operation table, and connect them with three cameras.
   2. Set the shooting parameters of the cameras as follows: resolution 1280 x720 pixels, format MP4, full manual mode (M), aperture F1.2, shutter 1/1000s, ISO 6400, automatic white balance, optical zoom 0mm.
      NOTE: The angle between every two ....

Results

After establishing this experimental method, the lifting-thrusting and twirling skills of basic AM of nineteen acupuncture teachers from the School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina of Shanghai University of TCM were measured using 3D motion tracking. According to the definition of a joint coordinate system (JCS) for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand proposed by the Standardization and Terminology Committee (STC) of the International Society of Biomechanics²¹, seven finger tracking points ha.......

Discussion

This study established the measurement method of the kinematic parameters of AM in vivo and obtained the data of motion amplitude, velocity, and operation time of the six important tracking points on the thumb and forefinger along three axes. Meanwhile, based on the 3D calibration frame, a 3D stick view and corresponding animation of the thumb and forefinger during needling were generated. The thumb and forefinger movement of AM can be fully displayed with the synchronous playback of kinematic parameter curve an.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
3D calibration frame	Any brand		15 x 15 x 15 cm
Acupuncture needles	Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory		0.35 x 40 mm
Double-sided tape	Any brand		Round, 1 cm-diameter
Reflective balls	Simi Reality Motion Systems GmbH		6.5 mm-diameter
SD card	Western Digital Corporation		SDXC UHS-I
SD card reader	UGREEN Group Limited		USB 3.0
Simi Motion	Simi Reality Motion Systems GmbH		Ver.8.5.15
Swab	Any brand		The volume fraction of ethanol is 70%-80%
Three cameras	Victor Company of Japan, Limited		JVC GC-PX100BAC
Three tripods	Any brand