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Shyang Chang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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on the interconnectedness of Meridian System and zang fu a comparative review and its implications
Applied Medical Informaticvs, 2014Co-Authors: Deise Elisabete De Souza, Shyang Chang, Daisy L M Franca, Vasco Sennafernandes, Danubia Da Cunha De Sacaputo, Sergio Guilhon, Ailton Alexandre Vieira Dos Santos, Severo De Paoli, Giuseppe Antonio Presta, Mario Bernardo FilhoAbstract:In recent decades, the interest in complementary and alternative medicine has stimulated research in various methodologies and approaches worldwide. Among them, acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been studied by many researchers as a very efficacious and economic treatment procedure. According to the fundamental theory of TCM, acupuncture efficacy depends heavily on the premise that diseases of visceral organs can be cured via puncturing their corresponding Meridians. It is believed that the normal flow of Qi and Xue to Zang- Fu (visceral organs) can be thus restored. Hence, validating the interconnectedness of Zang-Fu and Meridian System is of paramount importance in clinical practice. In this review article, radiopharmaceuticals that have been used in nuclear medicine to evaluate the functions of organs are examined at first. Then, variations on the uptake of radiopharmaceuticals in different visceral organs of Wistar rats after acupuncture stimulation of different Meridians are compared. Trying to decipher their interconnectedness, bioavailability results of radiopharmaceuticals in combination with the modern conceptualizations of Meridian System and Five-Phase theory are invoked. Finally, implications in acupuncture therapeutics and the physiology of internal organs based on the aforementioned results are conjectured. This review, hopefully, will spark more research on using acupuncture as an integrative approach in studying physiology, pathophysiology and treatment of visceral organs.
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The mechanism of auriculotherapy: a case report based on the fractal structure of Meridian System.
African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2014Co-Authors: Mario Bernardo-filho, Danúbia Da Cunha De Sá-caputo, Pedro J. Marín, Shyang ChangAbstract:Meridian System of acupuncture has been deciphered as the fractal continuum of neurovascular bundles and its smaller branches. Hence, based on the proposed theory, the important sensory organ of ears should be able to exert its influence on visceral organs and peripheral limbs. The aim is to verify possible correlation between the external ear stimulation and the muscle of biceps brachii via electromyograms (EMGs). A region between the points of elbow and shoulder in the scaphoid fossa (upper arm) was chosen. Before the recording of surface EMG signals, each subject was asked to carry out maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the arm. Due to the necessity of having an appropriate control group for this type of study, the same volunteers served as control. Consequently, each subject performed the three treatments of control, sham, and acupressure in random order. EMG signals were recorded. Results indicate that the acupressure with finger of a specific point possibly with a somatopic relation to the biceps brachii muscle can, in a man, modify the response of the EMG associated with the muscle while the response of the acupressure of a sham point has different responses. Moreover, the MVIC parameters were higher in acupressure treatment than control and sham treatments for both subjects. In conclusion, the analysis of the findings reported permits to speculate that the stimulation with the fingers of region between the points of elbow and shoulder in the scaphoid fossa of the ear presents electromyographic response related to the biceps brachii muscle.
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The Meridian System and mechanism of acupuncture—A comparative review. Part 2: Mechanism of acupuncture analgesia
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013Co-Authors: Shyang ChangAbstract:In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pain is never merely a sign of discomfort. It is usually an integral part of a particular disease or physiological malfunction. Thus pain should not be treated in isolation since it will disappear as soon as its cause is identified and removed. Hence, in this Part 2 of a three-part series, initially, clinical pathologies in modern medicine and TCM are compared. Then, the pain pathophysiologies of these two schools of thought are reviewed. In addition, certain unique features of acupuncture effects that any valid mechanism must account for are outlined. Finally, various mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia are reviewed. One plausible mechanism based on the Meridian System of Part 1, i.e., the chaotic wave theory of fractal continuum in terms of the neurovascular network, is also proposed. It contends that the injury current due to acupuncture at an acupoint will trigger electromagnetic inductive effects so that the impedances of correlated neurovascular bundles are drastically changed. Two consequent scenarios are possible. (1) If the impedance of the Meridian hugely mismatches with that of the brain after acupuncture, then the traveling wave of pain signal will be largely reflected back and only partially transmitted to the brain, hence pain relief can be achieved. (2) If the impedance of the Meridian entirely matches that of the pain source after acupuncture, then the pain source would appear to be nonexistent to the brain, hence analgesia can be achieved. The former mechanism can be used to explain the relief for chronic pain and the latter one for acute pain. It is believed that the proposed mechanisms via match or mismatch of the impedances can explain how the acupuncture works not only in the treatment of pain, but also in various other therapies of Part 3.
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the Meridian System and mechanism of acupuncture a comparative review part 2 mechanism of acupuncture analgesia
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013Co-Authors: Shyang ChangAbstract:In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pain is never merely a sign of discomfort. It is usually an integral part of a particular disease or physiological malfunction. Thus pain should not be treated in isolation since it will disappear as soon as its cause is identified and removed. Hence, in this Part 2 of a three-part series, initially, clinical pathologies in modern medicine and TCM are compared. Then, the pain pathophysiologies of these two schools of thought are reviewed. In addition, certain unique features of acupuncture effects that any valid mechanism must account for are outlined. Finally, various mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia are reviewed. One plausible mechanism based on the Meridian System of Part 1, i.e., the chaotic wave theory of fractal continuum in terms of the neurovascular network, is also proposed. It contends that the injury current due to acupuncture at an acupoint will trigger electromagnetic inductive effects so that the impedances of correlated neurovascular bundles are drastically changed. Two consequent scenarios are possible. (1) If the impedance of the Meridian hugely mismatches with that of the brain after acupuncture, then the traveling wave of pain signal will be largely reflected back and only partially transmitted to the brain, hence pain relief can be achieved. (2) If the impedance of the Meridian entirely matches that of the pain source after acupuncture, then the pain source would appear to be nonexistent to the brain, hence analgesia can be achieved. The former mechanism can be used to explain the relief for chronic pain and the latter one for acute pain. It is believed that the proposed mechanisms via match or mismatch of the impedances can explain how the acupuncture works not only in the treatment of pain, but also in various other therapies of Part 3.
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The Meridian System and mechanism of acupuncture—A comparative review. Part 1: The Meridian System
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2012Co-Authors: Shyang ChangAbstract:In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture has been used to heal various diseases and physiologic malfunctions in clinical practice for more than 2500 years. Due to its efficacy, acupuncture has been recommended by the World Health Organization in 1980 as an effective alternative therapy for 43 different disorders. Over the past few decades, various theories of the Meridian System and mechanisms have been proposed to explain how acupuncture might work. Most of these mechanisms, however, cannot yet explain conclusively why acupuncture is efficacious in treating so many different diseases. A plausible mechanism has been unavailable until recently. This is the first of a three-part series that aims to provide a comparative review of the aforementioned topics. Part 1 reviews the current indications for acupuncture, basic concepts of TCM, and the essence of the Meridian System. To establish a mathematically rigorous framework of TCM, the chaotic wave theory of fractal continuum is proposed. This theory is then applied to characterize the essence of the Meridian System. Parts 2 and 3 will review the possible mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia and acupuncture therapies, respectively, based on biochemical, bioelectromagnetic, chaotic wave, and neurophysiologic approaches. It is sincerely hoped that this series of review articles can promote an understanding of the Meridian System and acupuncture mechanisms to help patients in a logical and passionate way.
T. Z. Hou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Experimental evidence of a plant Meridian System: II. The effects of needle acupuncture on the temperature changes of soybean (Glycine max).
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: T. Z. HouAbstract:When stainless steel needles were inserted opposite each other in the stem near the unifoliolate buds of soybean plants and retained there for the whole experiment, leaf temperatures increased for two consecutive days. Following acupuncture, the mean temperature of the main vein in the first and second days increased 0.59°C and 0.48°C, respectively, while the temperature of mesophyll increased only 0.50°C and 0.47°C in the first and second days. These results are very consistent with studies on the human Meridian System. This is our second report on experimental evidence that plants may have a Meridian System as is known to exist in mammals.
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Experimental Evidence of a Plant Meridian System I: Bioelectricity and Acupuncture Effects on Electrical Resistance of the Soybean (Glycine max)
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: T. Z. Hou, M. Dawitof, J. Y. WangAbstract:Experiments were conducted on the bioelectrical potential and resistance of soybean (Glycine max) roots, stems, leaves and pods. Results showed a higher potential and lower electrical resistance associated with the leaf cushion, main vein and small vein areas in comparison with other parts of the plant. When two needles were inserted into one of the low resistance points, i.e., the leaf cushion area, the electrical resistance decreased 26.0% on the main vein and 4.5% on the mesophyll of the soybean leaf for at least 5 hours after acupuncture. These characteristics, similar to those of Meridian transmission lines in humans and other animals, suggest that a Meridian System might also exist in plants.
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Experimental Evidence of a Plant Meridian System III: The Sound Characteristics of Phylodendron (Alocasia) and Effects of Acupuncture on Those Properties
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: T. Z. Hou, J. Y. Luan, J. Y. WangAbstract:Studies on the sound characteristics of phylodendron performed by measuring the power of plant leaves with a laser beam found that the leaves of phylodendron could produce sound waves at relatively low frequencies (from 50 Hz to 120 Hz). Furthermore, it was found that those leaves could accept external sound wave stimulations, with frequencies lower than 150 Hz giving the strongest responses. When the plants were under stress, such as drought, the sound emissions from the plant's leaves increased approximately 20-30 dB, while the range of response to external sound wave stimulation decreased 10-20 dB. However, these increased emissions returned to normal six minutes after watering. When the stainless steel needles were inserted into the petiole of the plant, spontaneous sound production was increased about 40 dB for the main vein and 6 dB for the mesophyll. This is our third report on experimental evidence that plants might have a Meridian System as in humans and other animals.
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Experimental evidence of a plant Meridian System: IV. The effects of acupuncture on growth and metabolism of Phaseolus vulgaris L. beans.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: T. Z. HouAbstract:We have shown previously that plants exhibit functional characteristics similar to the Meridian System in humans and animals, such as high potential and low electrical resistance, high temperature, and spontaneous sound production. Here we will show the effect of acupuncture on plants. When plants of Phaseolus vulgaris L. pole bean (cv. Kentucky wonder) and bush bean (cv. Slenderette) were subjected to acupuncture by inserting two needles into opposite sides of the stem of the unifoliolate buds, it was found that acupuncture strengthened the growth and development of the plants. Two repeated experiments showed that the mean net photosynthesis rate of plants subjected to acupuncture increased about 20.5%, the mean transpiration 27.2%, the growth and total length of internodes 22.5%, and the total dry weight of shoots from the cotyledon to the apex 22.9%, in comparisons with control plants under the same growing conditions. In addition, treated plants flowered three days earlier and had 14.4% more fruit than the untreated control plants. Thus, acupuncture may serve as a viable technique for increasing yield in agricultural plants.
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experimental evidence of a plant Meridian System v acupuncture effect on circumnutation movements of shoots of phaselus vulgaris l pole bean
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1997Co-Authors: T. Z. HouAbstract:When the first unifoliolate leaf of Phaselus vulgaris L. cv. Kentucky wonder pole bean was at the expended stage, two needles were inserted into opposite sides of the stem near the unifoliolate bud and left there for the entire experiment. Changes of the period of circumnutation movement at the shoots of Phaselus vulgaris L. pole bean were measured. Results from two separate experiments are reported in this communication. In the first experiment, the mean period of the ultradian rhythms of the horizontal circumnutation movement of shoots was reduced significantly (p = 0.0022) from 124.2 minutes in controls to 116.3 minutes in the treated plants. The average period of the ultradian rhythms of circumnutation movement in the treated and the untreated groups from the second experiments were 96.7 and 132.1, minutes respectively, which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates for the first time that acupuncture markedly shortens the period lengths of the ultradian rhythms of circumnutation movement of the shoots of the Phaselus vulgaris L. pole bean.
Younbyoung Chae - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Exploring spatial patterns of acupoint indications from clinical data: A STROBE-compliant article.
Medicine, 2017Co-Authors: Wonmo Jung, Soon-ho Lee, Ye-seul Lee, Younbyoung ChaeAbstract:Every acupoint has specific indications for acupuncture treatment. These indications, primarily established based on the Meridian System, have spatial patterns of symptoms on the human body. We investigated the associations between acupoints and symptom locations in 75 patients with chronic pain who were asked to sketch the localization of their symptoms on body schemes using the bodily sensation map (BSM) System. Combining the BSM and clinical information, we estimated the statistical parameters of relationships between acupoints and spatial information on symptoms. We further visualized spatial patterns of indications of the representative acupoints on the human body template using a Z score. Using a statistical parametric map method, we observed significant activation patterns of 12 acupoint indications with spatial patterns. The 1st group of patterns was distant from the acupoint locus and was strongly associated with the route of the corresponding Meridian. The 2nd group was found around the acupoint locus, the majority of which was located at the trunk or back areas. Intensive investigations of the spatial patterns of acupoint indications would be a novel paradigm to explain point specificity of acupuncture treatment based on the original concept of the Meridian System. Future studies should include more meaningful clinical data with larger sample sizes.
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spatial patterns of the indications of acupoints using data mining in classic medical text a possible visualization of the Meridian System
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Wonmo Jung, Hi-joon Park, Hyunchul Jang, Younbyoung ChaeAbstract:The indications of acupoints are thought to be highly associated with the lines of the Meridian Systems. The present study used data mining methods to analyze the characteristics of the indications of each acupoint and to visualize the relationships between the acupoints and disease sites in the classic Korean medical text Chimgoogyeongheombang. Using a term frequency-inverse document frequency (tf-idf) scheme, the present study extracted valuable data regarding the indications of each acupoint according to the frequency of the cooccurrences of eight Source points and eighteen disease sites. Furthermore, the spatial patterns of the indications of each acupoint on a body map were visualized according to the tf-idf values. Each acupoint along the different Meridians exhibited different constellation patterns at various disease sites. Additionally, the spatial patterns of the indications of each acupoint were highly associated with the route of the corresponding Meridian. The present findings demonstrate that the indications of each acupoint were primarily associated with the corresponding Meridian System. Furthermore, these findings suggest that the routes of the Meridians may have clinical implications in terms of identifying the constellations of the indications of acupoints.
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Visualization of the Meridian System Based on Biomedical Information about Acupuncture Treatment
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: In-seon Lee, Soon-ho Lee, Song-yi Kim, Hyejung Lee, Hi-joon Park, Younbyoung ChaeAbstract:The origin of the concept of the Meridian System is closely connected with the treatment effects of acupuncture, and it serves as an empirical reference System in the clinical setting. Understanding the Meridian channels would be a first step in enhancing the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment. To understand the relationship between the location of the disease and the sites of relevant acupoints, we investigated acupuncture treatment regimens for low-back pain in 37 clinical studies. We found that the most frequently used acupoints in the treatment of low-back pain were BL23 (51%), BL25 (43%), BL24 (32%), BL40 (32%), BL60 (32%), GB30 (32%), BL26 (28%), BL32 (28%), and GB34 (21%). For the example of low-back pain, we visualized the biomedical information (frequency rates) about acupuncture treatment on the Meridians of a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human body. We found that both local and distal acupoints were used to treat low-back pain in clinical trials based on the Meridian theory. We suggest a new model for the visualization of a data-driven 3D Meridian System of biomedical information about the Meridians and acupoints. These findings may be helpful in understanding the Meridian System and revealing the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment.
Kaung-ti Yung - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A Birdcage Model for the Chinese Meridian System Part I: A Channel as a Transmission Line
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: Kaung-ti YungAbstract:The concept of Qi and the concept of channel are so closely related that they must be defined and comprehended simultaneously in a coordinated fashion. Once the nature of Qi is established in terms of physics, we may be able to explain the functional role that the channels play, as well as explain other Chinese medical terminology with a language of modern science. Based on the low electrical impedance characteristics of acupoints, we propose that the Meridian channel is equivalent to an electromagnetic transmission line and the Qi is the electromagnetic (EM) standing wave riding on the line, with acupoints as its nodes. The standing wave within each segment of the channel separated by acupoints is in natural oscillation thus the segment may be analyzed as a λ/4 open circuit that behaves like a series RLC resonator. Acupuncture until De Qi is effectively equivalent to charging the capacitor Ceq of the RLC resonator in the transmission line. The mechanism of bu and xie are charging or discharging the capacitor to bring the capacititive (or inductive) behavior of the segment back to that of the resonant state. Kirlian photograph may serve as a visual observation of the EM waves on channels.
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A birdcage model for the Chinese Meridian System: part II. The Meridian System as a birdcage resonator.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: Kaung-ti YungAbstract:We propose that the Meridian System as a whole is one grand transmission line, excited periodically at a frequency of f50, the frequency of the 50-round circulation (0.578×10-3 Hz). This grand transmission line is analyzed as a 28-leg, uniform, low pass (LP) electromagnetic (EM) birdcage coil, consisting of capacitors and inductors. The second lowest resonant frequency (mode 1) of the birdcage is f50. Each leg represents one channel and is analyzed as a lossless transmission line itself. The amplitude of the Qi standing wave on each channel is periodically amplified at f50. The average number of acupoints on the 28 channels involved in the 50-round circulation and the speed of Qi were used to calculate the resonant frequencies. A mechanical birdcage consisting of mass and spring may co-exist and exchange energy with the EM birdcage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to map the diffusion coefficient, elastic modulus and electric conductivity of tissues in vivo, as an indirect evidence of the existence of the proposed EM and mechanical standing waves.
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Birdcage model for the Chinese Meridian System: part VI. Meridians as the primary regulatory System.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: Kaung-ti YungAbstract:It is imperative to define the fundamental concepts of Qi, channels, and the Meridian System of Chinese medicine in terms of scientific terminology before any meaningful and mutually beneficial dialog can begin between Chinese and Western medicine. In the Chinese theory, the Meridian System as a whole is the System of the body. We propose the existence of a Meridian regulatory System that governs interactions between and adjusts functions of internal organs, connects them to the body surface through a network of pathways (channels) and displays their status on the skin. The Meridian Systems is analyzed as a 28-leg, uniform, low pass birdcage coil, where each leg represents a channel. The channel is analyzed as a transmission line and Qi is the standing wave riding on it. Each segment in the channel is represented as a section of the transmission line and it is in natural oscillation, with its second lowest resonant frequency being the 50-round circulation frequency f50, 0.578 x 10(-3) Hz.
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A birdcage model for the Chinese Meridian System: Part V: Applications to animals and plants.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: Kaung-ti YungAbstract:Since we all belong to the Kingdom Animalia, it is not surprising that animals in general benefit from the healing art of acupuncture that helps humans. Consequently, any proposed mechanism of Qi and acupuncture for humans based on animal physiology is probably applicable to animals as well, yet none is capable of explaining most of the complicated physiological effects observed. Not much attention was paid to the effects of Qi and acupuncture on plants (Kingdom Plantae) and on enoki mushrooms (Kingdom Fungi) by the TCM community, probably because they cannot be explained in terms of neurochemistry or connective tissue structures. However, our transmission and birdcage model is in principle applicable across Kingdom boundaries, because it is based on physical properties underlying the biological structure, thus its explanatory power is not restricted by categories of biology. We estimate several possible parameters of the birdcage model for animals and plants and give a possible interpretation for the sound fertilization phenomenon.
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A birdcage model for the Chinese Meridian System: part III. Possible mechanism of magnetic therapy.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: Kaung-ti YungAbstract:Based on the electromagnetic model of the transmission line for the channel and the birdcage resonator for the Meridian network, we interpret two effects, seemingly incomprehensible in terms of current Western physiology, the lasting effect and the remote effect. For the lasting effect, acupuncture enhances the amplitude of the Qi standing wave, and this increased amplitude is retained and thus is able to sustain a gradual remodeling of the extracellular matrix in interstitial connective tissues, resulting in a lasting therapeutic effect. For the remote effect (acupuncture effect far from the site of needle insertion), our model puts the mechanism of magnetic therapy on an equal footing with that of acupuncture. It may not be a coincidence that accounts of investigators in both acupuncture and magnetotherapy about the depth of the effective site — along cleavage planes between muscles, or between muscle and bone or tendon — are in accord with that of the Huang Di Nei Jing about the course of channels: "they are embedded and travel between interstitial muscles, deep and invisible." A possible magnetic field generated outside the birdcage may be manipulated to produce local areas of higher temperature or very strong fields.
R. E. Mooneyham - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Applied studies of plant Meridian System: I. The effect of agri-wave technology on yield and quality of tomato.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: R. E. MooneyhamAbstract:Agri-wave technology is a new agricultural technology based on the plant Meridian System, that focuses on measurement of plant sound characteristics. The basic principle of agri-wave technology is to improve the yield and quality of plants such as vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees by broadcasting sound waves of certain frequencies and spraying a compound microelement fertilizer on the leaves. The application of agri-wave technology on tomatoes remarkably stimulates growth of their seedlings. Fresh weight of the branch, stems, and leaves of the treated tomatoes is significantly (59.53%, P < 0.0001) higher than that of the control group. Sampling survey results indicate that agri-wave technology accelerates the ripeness of tomatoes. The fresh weight of ripe tomatoes treated with this technique is 30.73% higher than that of the untreated (P = 0.0018), while the fresh weight of the treated unripe tomatoes is 27.29% lower than that of the untreated unripe group (P = 0.0020). Yield surveys show that the yield of treated plants is 13.89% (p < 0.0001) higher than that of the control group. Moreover, with agri-wave technology treatment the storage period of tomatoes is almost doubled. Analysis of tomato nutrition shows that agri-wave technology has increased their sugar content by 26.19%, vitamin A and niacin (an antifavours vitamin) by 55.39% and 92.31% respectively. There is no difference concerning vitamin B1, B2, and D content between the two groups, and vitamin C and E contents decreased by 2.10% and 12.69%, respectively. Among the analyzed 33 minerals of tomatoes, 26 increased in content, while 7 decreased. In conclusion, agri-wave technology has promoted the growth of the tomato, increased its yield, and improved its quality.
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Applied studies of the plant Meridian System : II. Agri-wave technology increases the yield and quality of spinach and lettuce and enhances the disease resistant properties of spinach
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Co-Authors: R. E. MooneyhamAbstract:Agri-wave technology is composed of both a special frequency sound wave and a microelement fertilizer. In both components, the effect of sound waves on plants is more than that of fertilizers, but the best function is a combination of the two. Treatment by Agri-wave technology stimulated the growth rate and increased the yield of spinach. In small plot tests, the length and width of the treated spinach leaf was 50.8 cm and 20.3 cm, respectively, whereas the untreated leaves were 29.20 cm and 8.9 cm. The fresh weight of treated spinach was 0.42 kg. This was 5.5 times higher than that of the untreated spinach. In large area testing (17 hectares), the results of two tests show that the yields of the treated spinach were increased 22.7% and 22.2% over those of the control group. Sugar content of the treated spinach was increased by 37.5%, vitamin A, C, and B were increased 35.63%, 41.67% and 40.00%, respectively, above the levels of the control group. Niacin content was decreased by 7.69%. Of 33 elements analyzed in the spinach, 29 elements were increased by Agri-wave technology. The spinach was infected with "rot disease" in the control group while there was no disease present in the treated group. In greenhouse testing, the average weight of 3 species of lettuce treated by Agri-wave technology was increased 44.10% over that of the control group (P < 0.000 1). The average weight of 3 species of lettuce by only sound and only fertilizer treated separately increased 29.92% and 16.19% above that of the control group (p < 0.0001). Sampling survey results in the field test were comparable to the above mentioned greenhouse test. The fresh weight of treated lettuce by Agri-wave technology was increased 41.67% over that of the control group (p < 0.0001). The fresh weight of treated lettuce by only sound and only fertilizer was increased 30.88% and 19.61%, respectively, over the control group (both P < 0.0001).