Evidencias de los efectos parasimpáticos y simpáticos de la acupuntura mediante la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca: implicaciones multisistémicas

Heart rate variability (HRV) indirectly reflects the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) on cardiac function, which is modified by both internal and external stimuli, reflecting the body's self-regulatory capacity. In this article we describe some general aspects of HRV and its implications for health and disease. Likewise, we show experimental evidence emphasizing that acupuncture under certain conditions increases vagal tone, to cope with the wear and tear generated by stressors, and in other conditions activates the sympathetic response to mobilize resources. We expose HRV as a tool to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and its implications in other body systems. We propose that a mechanism of action of acupuncture to modulate the digestive, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gynecological systems, including conditions such as stress, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and metabolism, corresponds to the activity it exerts on the sympathetic branch and parasympathetic of the ANS, which can be evidenced by HRV.