Development of the measurement system of upper abdominal palpation

In the field of the health maintenance, oriental medicine is one of many selective solutions aiming at “prevention” of diseases. It is considered as alternative medicine so far, but some acupuncture treatments have been developed to be effective treatment methods through the regulation of bowels (ROB) for maintaining healthy bodily functions. Along with the development of the treatment methodology, the palpation technique on the upper abdomen has been developed to confirm the movements of digestive tract. Our research project started by evaluating the ROB treatment objectively, investigating the relationship between the effectiveness of ROB treatment and the suppleness of the upper abdomen. A practitioner investigates the reactive force at some trigger points with the palpating finger pressed down until the firm hardness is felt. In this study, the measurement system was thus newly developed to quantify this method. The sensor unit consists a single axis load cell, a magnetic position sensor, and the resin housing to fit a palpating finger. The data acquisition of a male subject was then performed for 6 days trial within 2 months. Data tendencies of abdominal palpation was discussed, and the results of the palpation on the 3 abdominal points show that the relation between the maximum pressing position and the reactive force of abdominal wall represents the proportional relation without the viscosity effect. It is just through the perception of hardness that enables practitioners to diagnose subjectively using abdominal palpation, yet it becomes an effective index for individuals to understand healthy level of the digestive organ objectively, as needed for individual preventive healthcare.