Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between Ryodoraku and carbon monoxide concentration during expiration of smokers. This study was designed as an exploratory observational study. This study was based on the hypothesis that increased levels of carbon monoxide in the smoker's breath may affect indicators that reflect the respiratory and circulatory systems in the Ryodoraku test. Methods: The participants were 49 people who smoked for over a year. They were examined at least one hour after their last smoking. They were tested in a stable state. When examining carbon monoxide during expiration, they breathed deeply, kept breathing for 20 seconds, and slowly exhaled. The Ryodoraku test was performed on its representative points of twelve meridians. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to investigate correlation between the concentration of carbon monoxide in the breath and the current in the measurement points. Results: The higher the carbon monoxide concentration in the exhalation, the significantly greater the current value of Lt H1·both H2·Lt H3·Rt H5, deviation of Lt H1·Lt H2·Lt H3 current value and the laterality between right and left current of H3. Conclusion: The more cigarette smoked, the more changes in heart, lung, pericardium and triple energizer meridians were observed in the Ryodoraku test. I found that increased carbon monoxide in smokers could affect the results of the Ryodoraku test.