Comparative study about bone proportional measurement on abdomen and Finger-cun measurement

This study was to explore the interrelations between each two of the bone proportional measurements on abdomen and flnger-cun measurements, also the main factors affected the length of each measurement, in order to locate acupuncture points on the abdomen accurately and improve the clinical effect of abdominal acupuncture therapy. Recorded the measured data include the length from the xiphosternal synchondrosis to middle point of navel, length from the middle point of navel to superior margin of symphysis pubica, length from the middle point of navel to lateral border of abdomen, width of the "Yifu" breadth measurement (four fingers except thumb), width of thumb measurement, stature and weight, etc. Translated each length and width into one "cun" according to the different bone proportional measurements and compared each two of them to discuss the statistical difference. Inquired into the factors (gender, stature and Body Mass Index, etc.) influencing the length of each "cun" for different proportional length and the correlations by statistical analysis. Comparing the bone proportional measurements on abdomen and flnger-cun measurements, the descending order of length followed: "cun" for hypogastric region, "cun" for ePigastrium, "cun" for side track of abdomen, "cun" for "Yifu" measurement and the shortest "cun" for thumb measurement, and it showed statistical difference significantly between each two of them (P<;0.01). Stature was the only major factors affected the mean value of the cun for ePigastrium, stature and gender affected "cun" for hypogastric region, Body Mass Index and stature affected "cun" for abdominal side track. And all of the correlative factors showed statistical difference (P<;0.01) and positive influence significantly (P<;0.01). Basic on the statistical analysis, we concluded that the bone proportional length of abdomen could not be measured by one same standard or flnger-cun measurement. The different correlative factors may be t- e main cause for the different length standard for different "cun". Consequently, in order to locate the acupuncture points accurately to improve the clinical effect of abdominal acupuncture therapy, we should measure and convert the "cun" on abdomen separately.