Is Commercially Available Point Finder Accurate and Reliable in Detecting Active Auricular Acupuncture Points?

Abstract Objectives: This study was done to determine the specificity and sensitivity of a commercial Pointer Plus (Point finder) in detecting a region of low skin resistance on the ear. Design: This was a prospective blinded study. Setting/location: The study was done at the Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT. Subjects: The subjects were men and women who work at Yale New Haven Hospital. Interventions: There were no interventions. Outcome measures: Correlations were made between self-reported musculoskeletal pain and the detection of low skin resistance on the ear. Results: The positive predictive value for Pointer Plus detecting low skin resistance correlating to the neck region of French auricular map is 0.76 (76%). The positive predictive value for Pointer Plus to detect low skin resistance area correlating to the low back region of French auricular map is 0.25. The positive predictive value for Pointer Plus in detecting any low in skin resistance on the external auricles in patients who complained of more than two musculoskeletal pains is 0.29. Conclusions: The specificity and sensitivity of a commercial Pointer Plus (point finder) in detecting a region of low skin resistance on the ear being unreliable, depending on the correlating area based on a published auricular map. Additional assessments are needed to support the clinical practice.
PMID: 22834870