Effect of emitted qi and infrasonic sound on somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and slow vertex response (SVR)

Methods:
The qigong practitioners who can release their qi were tested and the intensity of qi was more than 70 dB. We also used the instrument which could generate infrasonic (60-90 dB). The subjects were recumbent comfortably in sofa in a shielded room. SEP and SVR changes before, after and during the course of receiving the emitted qi or infrasonic were observed. Equal number of subjects were examined as a control group. SEP and SVR were recorded with a 'Neuropack II”. The SVR recording electrodes (0.6 cm in diameter tin discs) were attached to the skin over the vertex and both ears were given click stimuli at a rate of 0.5/sec (duration 01 ms). 64 responses were averaged, analysis times of 1000 ms and the frequency response of 0.5-30 c/sec were used.

Results:
1. When the healthy subjects received the emitted qi the amplitude of most SEP waves decreased obviously (P<O.01), but the latency of the waves did not change significantly. The amplitude of N4 increased in some cases. The changes were similar to those in meditation.

2. SVR amplitude in 7 out of 14 healthy cases increased obviously when they received the emitted qi (P<0.001). The latency was prolonged (P<0.05). The amplitude of another 7 cases decreased and that of one diminished (P<O.01). The latency did not change significantly.

3. The SEP changes in 20 infrasonic caused by the infrasonic were different from that caused by the emitted qi and meditation. The Nl amplitude decreased (P<O.01). and the amplitude of N2 and N3 increased (P<O.05) and the latency of each wave did not change much.

4. The infrasonic sound caused the amplitude of SVR waves to decrease in 12 out of 17 cases (P<O.01) . Another 5 case had no significant change. The results were obviously different from that of the emitted qi.

Discussion:
1. The emitted qi may change SEP of the healthy subjects. It is suggested that the emitted qi may be received by the living body and it may influence the activities of the brain and have some similar effect in meditation. This might provide theories for explaining that the emitted qi can regulate the function of the living body.

2. The SVR changes caused by the emitted qi reflect the state of different cortical inhibition. This state is generally considered to have a protective effect and to diminish the effect of harmful agents. The phenomena of increased SVR amplitude and prolonged latency were similar to that of 11 and III phase of sleep, but not entirely the same. They might have similar nervous mechanism.

3. The emitted qi and infrasonic sound both have obvious effects on the nervous system, but they vary significantly. We cannot say that the effective component of the emitted qi is the infrasonic sound, but we can assume that the infrasonic sound is an important agent in the emitted qi or a carrier for other components. The infrasonic effect on the nervous system may cause the hypothalamic neuron circuit synchronize.