Emma King1, Sean Walsh, Deirdre Cobbin. 1. Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Emma.King@uts.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: The use of the radial pulse as a diagnostic tool is an important part of the Chinese medicine (CM) clinical evaluation. This study reports the findings of an investigation into inter-arm pulse strength differences in subjects and the relationship to traditional pulse claims relating to gender. METHOD: Using a standardized pulse taking procedure and concrete operational definitions, two pulse assessors with a demonstrated high level of inter-rater agreement each assessed the overall left and right pulse strength and rated their findings on a standardized pulse form. RESULTS: The overall percentage of inter-rater agreement for manual assessment of dominant hand was 86% (based on a cohort of 65 subjects). In relation to the three possible choices regarding dominant side (right, neither, left) the right-hand side was most commonly selected as relatively strongest of the two regardless of gender (60% of males and 71% of females). Analysis of the data using Chi-square (II) found the observed frequencies for an assessor's rating of dominant hand in males were significantly different to those expected according to CM theory. CONCLUSIONS: The CM assumption of gender-related pulse-strength differences in left and right hand pulses was not supported within this study.
OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: The use of the radial pulse as a diagnostic tool is an important part of the Chinese medicine (CM) clinical evaluation. This study reports the findings of an investigation into inter-arm pulse strength differences in subjects and the relationship to traditional pulse claims relating to gender. METHOD: Using a standardized pulse taking procedure and concrete operational definitions, two pulse assessors with a demonstrated high level of inter-rater agreement each assessed the overall left and right pulse strength and rated their findings on a standardized pulse form. RESULTS: The overall percentage of inter-rater agreement for manual assessment of dominant hand was 86% (based on a cohort of 65 subjects). In relation to the three possible choices regarding dominant side (right, neither, left) the right-hand side was most commonly selected as relatively strongest of the two regardless of gender (60% of males and 71% of females). Analysis of the data using Chi-square (II) found the observed frequencies for an assessor's rating of dominant hand in males were significantly different to those expected according to CM theory. CONCLUSIONS: The CM assumption of gender-related pulse-strength differences in left and right hand pulses was not supported within this study.
Authors: Eric Jacobson; Lisa Conboy; Dolma Tsering; Monica Shields; Patrick McKnight; Peter M Wayne; Rosa Schnyer Journal: J Altern Complement Med Date: 2019-11 Impact factor: 2.579
Authors: Bum Ju Lee; Young Ju Jeon; Boncho Ku; Jaeuk U Kim; Jang-Han Bae; Jong Yeol Kim Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2015-07-11 Impact factor: 3.659