See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/254098028

Using Ryodoraku Measurement to Evaluate the Impact of Environmental

Noise on Human Physiological Response

Article  in  Indoor and Built Environment · April 2012

DOI: 10.1177/1420326X11409448

CITATIONS READS

0 307

5 authors, including:

Fang Ming Lin Po-Cheng Chou

National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Shu-Te University
2 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS    52 PUBLICATIONS   418 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Po-Cheng Chou on 28 July 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Indoor and Built Environment
http://ibe.sagepub.com/

Using Ryodoraku Measurement to Evaluate the Impact of Environmental Noise on Human Physiological
Response
Che Ming Chiang, Chien Chih Liu, Fang Ming Lin, Wei Wang and Po Cheng Chou
Indoor and Built Environment 2012 21: 241 originally published online 28 June 2011
DOI: 10.1177/1420326X11409448

The online version of this article can be found at:

http://ibe.sagepub.com/content/21/2/241

Published by:

http://www.sagepublications.com

On behalf of:

International Society of the Built Environment

Additional services and information for Indoor and Built Environment can be found at:

Email Alerts: http://ibe.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts

Subscriptions: http://ibe.sagepub.com/subscriptions

Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav

Permissions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav

Citations: http://ibe.sagepub.com/content/21/2/241.refs.html

>> Version of Record - Apr 30, 2012

OnlineFirst Version of Record - Jun 28, 2011

What is This?

Downloaded from ibe.sagepub.com by guest on October 11, 2013

 Original Paper
Indoor and Built Accepted: April 6, 2011
Environment Indoor Built Environ 2012;21;2:241–252

Using Ryodoraku
Measurement to Evaluate
the Impact of Environmental
Noise on Human
Physiological Response
Che Ming Chianga Chien Chih Liua
Fang Ming Linb Wei Wangc Po Cheng Choud
a
Department of Architecture, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
b
Department of Wood Science and Design, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology,
Pingtung, Taiwan
c
Department of Architecture, Kao Yuan University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
d
Department of Interior Design, Shu Te University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Key Words noise environment at 40 dB (A), 50 dB (A), 60 dB (A) and

Indoor noise E Physiological responses E Autonomic
nervous system E Meridian E Ryodoraku
Abstract
According to relevant studies on the influence of indoor
sound environment on human responses, long-term
exposure to excessive indoor noise can have a
significant effect on human physiological responses,
such as heart rate variability, electroencephalography
and blood pressure. Moreover, it may cause tinnitus,
palpitation and headache. In order to find out the
impact of noise environment on human physiological
response changes, this study undertook experiments in
a Lab with a precise control of environmental factors
and based on the viewpoint of meridian of traditional
Chinese medicine, the changes in human autonomic
nervous response and the degree of effect on corre-
sponding meridians after 45 min stimulation of white
70 dB (A) sound pressure levels, were evaluated. The
analysis of the experimental results found that, the
human Heart Constrictor meridians, Heart meridians
and Triple Heater meridians were related to pericar-
dium, blood vessel and blood circulation system; and
are likely to be influenced by the noise environment
stimulation. When the noise sound pressure level
exceeded 60 dB (A), the human Bladder meridians and
Gall Bladder meridians related to ears, eyes, shoulder
joints, digestive system and endocrine system could be
influenced significantly.
Introduction
Due to the rapid economic development and improved
living standard in Taiwan, the public’s demand on healthy,

ß The Author(s), 2011. Reprints and permissions: Dr Po Cheng Chou,

http://www.sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav Department of Interior Design, Shu Te University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Tel. þ886 7
DOI: 10.1177/1420326X11409448 7462895, Fax þ886 7 7416667,
Accessible online at http://ibe.sagepub.com E-Mail paul@stu.edu.tw
comfortable living conditions has increased. However, the
residential density in Taiwan is very high, and the sound-
proofing properties of the housing structures are generally
poor; thus, the environmental noises would often disturb
and bring inconvenience to people’s work and rest [1,2].
Therefore, how to avoid the disturbance of noises in daily
life and to ensure a good audible environment has become
one of the important topics in healthy living conditions.
According to relevant studies on the effect of sound
environmental factors on human body reactions, the
human psychological perception is influenced directly
under different noise environment stimulations [3,4], and
the physiological response to the degree of excitement of
human autonomic nervous system (ANS) and central
nervous system (CNS) could undergo significant changes
[5–9]. Long-term exposure to excessive noise environment
is likely to cause physiological symptoms, such as hearing
loss, aprosexia, impatience, insomnia, maldigestion [10–
14] and ischemic heart disease could result in a rise of
blood pressure (BP) [6,7,15–17]. Previous studies mostly
focused on the changes in the single physiological response
value, such as pulse, BP, heart rate variability (HRV)
[7,17–19], electroencephalography (EEG) [20,21], magne-
toencephalography (MEG) [22,23], electromyography
(EMG) [24] and functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI) [9,25,26], etc., while the overall physiological
response changes and the affected positions were seldom
investigated.
Human ANS can be divided into the sympathetic
nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system,
when the human body is stimulated by external environ-
mental factors, the sympathetic nervous system and
parasympathetic nervous system of ANS would act
alternately, so as to maintain the normal operation of
human physiological functions [27,28]. The galvanic skin
response (GSR) is a reproducible electrophysiological
technique to investigate sympathetic nervous system
function; the common evaluation method for skin
conductivity would measure the GSR of human fingertips,
and evaluate the emotional stress and awakening degrees
by measuring the dermal amperage of forefinger and
middle finger and adjacent fingertips. When the human
body feels nervous or at a high waking state, the skin
electric resistance would decrease obviously and the
amperage would increase. If the body is at a relaxed
state or low waking state, the conductivity of skin would
decrease [29,30]. In clinical medicine, when the human
body is injected with Bosmin or Imidalin, the patient’s skin
electric resistance may decrease or increase [31], that is,
when the sympathetic nerve is excited, the human skin
242 Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252
surface resistance value would decrease. When the
sympathetic nerve activity is inhibited, the skin surface
resistance value would increase; indicating that the
excitatory state of sympathetic nerve can be distinguished
by means of the measured value of skin surface resistance.
Since the meridian phenomenon is the response of the
sympathetic nerve activity of human ANS on body
surface, therefore, the changes in the degree of excitement
of human sympathetic nerve can be known effectively by
measuring the changes in skin electric resistance value
[32,33].
This study used the Ryodoraku measurement system,
which is widely used by traditional Chinese medicine, to
determine the feasibility in measuring and evaluating the
influence of indoor noise of different sound pressure levels
on the overall human physiological response changes.
Based on the analysis of the measured value of changes in
human skin point electric conduction, this study also
investigated the range of influence of indoor noise of
different sound pressure levels on human physiological
responses and physiological change states of viscera
organs by monitoring at the relevant meridian measuring
points. The results can serve as a reference for establishing
healthy and comfortable room sound environment in the
future.
Ryodoraku Measurement Method
In 1956, Dr Yoshio Nakatani of Kyoto University
found that human body contains many points that are
conductive to electric current, when he studied the skin
electric resistance response of patients with hydronephro-
sis. He named these points ‘‘Ryodoten’’ or ‘‘electro-
permeable point’’, and further connected these points
with ‘‘Ryodoraku’’ (ryo ¼ good, do is (electro) conductive,
raku ¼ line) [34].
The Ryodorakus of human body are distributed on the
front and back sides of trunk, and 12 Ryodorakus are
distributed on the left and right sides of human body,
respectively. According to the acupuncturology and the
meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, these 12
meridians could correspond to the changes in viscera and
relevant organs, the related meridians corresponding
viscera and organs are shown in Table 1.
Therefore, when the stimulation of external environ-
mental factors that causes responses of internal organs, or
the viscera undergoing pathological changes, and these
would be reflected or transferred by the ANS of human
body and be shown at the skin points connecting
Chiang et al.
Table 1. Human’s 12 meridians and collaterals of spot and corresponding internal organs
Human’s 12 meridians
Lung meridians
Heart Constrictor meridians
Heart meridians
Small Intestine meridians
Triple Heater meridians
Large Intestine meridians
Spleen Pancreas meridians
Liver meridians
Kidney meridians
Bladder meridians
Gall Bladder meridians
Stomach meridians
meridians and body surface [35]. The meridian response
can be detected by measuring the changes in the
magnitude of current of the Ryodoten on the human
body Ryodoraku, and then the influence on human
physiology. The Ryodoraku measurement method meas-
ures the magnitude of the current of 24 representative
points of 12 meridians (Ryodoraku value) to evaluate the
fatigue, excitement, relaxation or disturbance of internal
organs. If the magnitude of the current measured by
Ryodotens is too high or too low, this would indicate that
the human body energy was distributed non-uniformly,
namely the human physiology has abnormal conditions.
This study used Ryodoraku to measure the variance in the
current values of 12 meridians, and evaluated the influence
on human physiology, so as to discuss the influence of
different noise environment stimulations on human
physiology.
Principle of Ryodoraku Measurement
In the viewpoint of Western medicine, the activity
mechanisms of human muscular contraction and internal
organs are influenced by neruoelectricity conduction,
including spinal cord of CNS, brain and somatic nervous
system (SNS) of peripheral nervous system (PNS) and
ANS. The mechanism in human nervous systems respond-
ing to the environment stimulation is the ANS, and is
divided into sympathetic nerve and parasympathetic
nerve. According to related medical studies [7,36,37],
when the human body is stimulated by external environ-
mental factors, the sympathetic nerve will release adrena-
lin, which causes physiological responses, such as
vasoconstriction, BP increase, heart beat increase, tachyp-
noea and perspiration would increase. Hence, the function
of sympathetic nerve is mainly related to emergencies and
energy release, whereas the function of parasympathetic
Ryodoraku Measurement of Human Response to Noise
Corresponding human organs
Lung, nose, skin
Pericardium, blood vessel
Heart, tongue, eyes
Small intestine, eyes, tongue
Lymphatic vessel, ear, eyes
Large intestine, mouth, tooth, nose, tongue, Skin
Spleen, pancreas, stomach, brain
Liver, eyes, genitals, muscle
Kidney, brain, eyes, bone, nasal cavity
Bladder, ear, nose, eyes, brain
Gall bladder, head, eyes, muscle
Stomach, mouth, tooth, nose
nerve is mainly related to rest, recovery, energy storage
and pleasantness [38]. Therefore, when the human body is
stimulated by external environmental factors, the sympa-
thetic nerve and parasympathetic nerve would act alter-
nately, so as to promote or inhibit the operation of human
organs or tissues, and maintain normal physiological
function, and the corresponding organs of the CNS
diagram is shown in Figure 1 [39].
When the human body is stimulated by external
environmental factors, the sympathetic nerve and para-
sympathetic nerve act alternately, if the stimulation of the
external environment factors is strong enough, as the
activity of the sympathetic nerve of the nervous system
increases or decreases, the neurons would undergo
polarisation or depolarisation accordingly and resulting
in action potential [40]. Human nerve fibre is used to
transfer relevant information, and the concentration of
intra-cellular Na þ and K þ could be influenced [41]. The
physiological changes can be measured by using relevant
instruments, such as EEG, EMG, giving skin electric
reflection physiologic indexes. When a lot of neurons are
discharged at the same time, the aggregate capacitance
would increase sharply; at this moment, by placing the
electrode on the skin covering the nerve, instead of on
nerve fibre directly, the action potential can be recorded.
Therefore, the Ryodoraku measurement system measures
the changes in dermal resistance according to this
physiological response principle, and evaluates the
impact on human physiology based on physiologic indexes
[35] (Figure 2).
Ryodoraku Measurement System and Representative
Measuring Points
The Ryodoraku measurement system is designed based
on the principle of Electro-Dermal Screening Test (EDST)
Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 243
 Fig. 2. When the human body is stimulated by external
environment factors, if the stimulation is strong enough to initiate
polarisation and depolarisation of nervous system and result in
action potential.

Fig. 1. Outline of the gross anatomy of the ANS. The

parasympathetic system leaves the CNS at the upper and lower
ends of the spinal cord. The sympathetic system leaves from the
middle portion of the spinal cord [39].

[42] (Figure 3). When the human body is stimulated by the

external environment, the internal organs would undergo
changes. The body surface skin would have undergone an
electric potential change because the cells have polarisa-
tion or depolarisation. At this moment, if the skin is
conducted with a feeble current (below 12 V, 200 mA), the
meridian point positions in Chinese acupuncturology
would have less skin electric resistance, and thus allowing
the passage of electric current. These points are the so-
called Ryodoten.
In practical measurement, the testee holds the con-
ductive guide, and the tester presses the measuring guide Fig. 3. A simple schematic diagram of an EDST.
on the skin point of the testee. Since the human body with
resistance is between the conductive guide and the meas-
uring guide, the magnitude of current must decrease to Ryodotens in this meridian has a trend of parallel changes.
5200 mA. The measured magnitude of current is called Therefore, each meridian would only need to measure the
Ryodoraku value. Theoretically, each Ryodoraku has Ryodoraku value of a representative measuring point and
many Ryodotens; however, according to relevant then make a comprehensive evaluation, so as to find out
researches, the mean Ryodoraku value of the Ryodoraku the human physiological changes [43]. The positions of 12
values of several Ryodotens (i.e. representative measuring representative measuring points on both hands and feet of
points) in each meridian of human body and all human body Ryodoraku is shown in Figure 4.

244 Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 Chiang et al.

Fig. 4. The 24 acupuncture points included H1 (Lung meridians), H2 (Heart Constrictor meridians), H3 (Heart meridians), H4 (Small
Intestine meridians), H5 (Triple Heater Meridians), H6 (Large Intestine meridians), F1 (Spleen Pancreas meridians), F2 (Liver meridians), F3
(Kidney meridians), F4 (Bladder meridians), F5 (Gall Bladder meridians) and F6 (Stomach meridians).
Relationship Between Ryodoraku Value and
Physiological Response
Past studies have indicated that, according to the
Ryodoraku values of various meridians of a healthy
testee, each meridian has a different Ryodoraku value;
however, according to the arithmetical mean, the
Ryodoraku value of meridian could fluctuate within a
certain range of the mean value. This variation range is
called physiological range (Figure 5). If the meridian
Ryodoraku value exceeds the physiological range, it would
mean that the peripheral nerve is in excitatory state, and
indicates that the internal organ has acute disturbance.
If the Ryodoraku value is lower than the physiological
range, it means that the excitability of peripheral nerve is
reduced and in anetic state. Thus, the Ryodoraku value
exceeding the physiological range is an abnormal
Ryodoraku [44]. When internal organs have pathological
changes or external environment stimulation has an
influence on internal organs, the human physiological
situation will be reflected or transferred by the ANS, and
shown at the skin points connecting meridians and body
surface. The human meridian response can be detected by
measuring the magnitude of current of specific point, and
the degree of influence on human physiology and the
changes in the corresponding internal organs can be
evaluated.
Experimental Design
This study used the experimental method to discuss the
influence of white noise at different sound pressure levels
on human physiology. In this study, 21 healthy testees
were selected to receive the human physiological response
Ryodoraku Measurement of Human Response to Noise
test in a laboratory setting where the indoor environ-
mental factors could be controlled accurately. A human
Ryodoraku measuring instrument (Health Monitor,
Model no. SD-802 P, Skylark Device & Systems CO.,
LTD., Taiwan) was used to measure the changes in the
meridian Ryodoraku values of testees before, during and
after the changes made in the experimental sounding
environment, so as to discuss the influence of noise at
different sound pressure levels on the overall human
physiological response and various meridians.
Experimental Factors
This study selected the indoor sound pressure in the
sounding environment of a house and an office space as
the factor. According to relevant studies [19,45,46], the
frequent indoor sound pressure range would be about
55.6 dB (A)–65.5 dB (A), followed by 45.6 dB (A)–55.5 dB
(A). This study took 10 dB (A) as a level range, and
selected white noises at 40 dB (A), 50 dB (A), 60 dB (A)
and 70 dB (A) sound pressure levels as experimental
variables.
Experimental Subjects
The subjects were 21 adults, including 13 males and 8
females, aged between 20 and 28 years, with normal
hearing and good health condition. They were required to
have a good sleep before the experiment, so as to avoid
fatigue resulting in measurement errors, and the dressing
during the experiment was set as 0.7 clo.
Controlled Environmental Conditions
This study selected a full size laboratory conforming
to the experimental requirement (L: 5.2 m, W: 3.2 m, H:
2.6 m). The experimental setting was the indoor climate in
Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 245
Fig. 5. The meridian energy partition adjustment of the Ryodoraku values.
Fig. 6. The setting of the experimental environment.
the summer of Taiwan, and the environmental variables
were controlled within a certain range accurately, includ-
ing room temperature 28.5  0.58C, relative humidity
70  2%, wind velocity under 0.09 m/s, indoor illumina-
tion 500 lux–2700 K and background noise level 530 dB
(A). Tables and chairs were placed in the middle of the
room, and the walls were covered by black light-tight cloth
curtains. The setting of the experimental environment is
shown in Figure 6.
Experimental Flow and Analysis of Measured Values
Since the changes of Ryodoraku values caused by
acupuncture stimulation would resume to the original level
246 Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252
about 20 min after the stimulation, it is known that the
external stimulation is time-sensitive on the Ryodoraku
values [43]. Thus, this study set the sounding time to
45 min.
The experiment chose white noises at four different
sound pressure levels as the experimental variables, from a
low sound pressure level of 40 dB (A) to a high level of
70 dB (A). Thirty minutes before the experiment was the
preparation phase and kept at a mute state to avoid
external environmental factors influencing the measured
values. In order to guarantee the accuracy of the experi-
ment, the testees’ Ryodoraku values were measured in a
mute state during the experiment. After the first
Chiang et al.
physiological value was measured, there was a 15-min
break before the second sounding, so as to avoid the
memory effect of skin surface current and possible errors
in the measured Ryodoraku values. After sounding, the
experiment set one Ryodoraku measurement per 15 min,
each experimental unit spent 75 min. In order to avoid the
influence of testees’ individual differences, time and other
factors on Ryodoraku, the Ryodoraku value of each testee
measured in the mute state was taken as the standard, and
compared with each Ryodoraku value measured after
sounding.
There were 21 samples in this study, which was a small-
sample, single-group comparative experiment. The meas-
ured data were analysed by the paired parametric average
mean different test, which is a t-test in the Microsoft Excel
for small-sample analysis, in order to find out whether the
measured value of each time interval after the sounding
and 15 min before the sounding have any statistical
difference ( p50.05). If there is a significant difference
( p50.05), this would indicate that the changes in sound
pressure level could influence the changes in the
Ryodoraku value response.
Results and Discussion
Influence of White Noises at Different Sound Pressure
Levels on Human Physiology
Duration Impact Analysis
By analysing and comparing the duration changes in
testees’ Ryodoraku mean differences in different time
intervals before and after the sounding, this study
determined whether the white noises at 40 dB (A), 50 dB
(A), 60 dB (A) and 70 dB (A) sound pressure levels could
have significant effects on changes of the testees’
physiological responses ( p50.05). Table 2 shows the
comparison result.
As seen in the table, in the 40 dB(A) noise
environment, a changed testees’ Ryodoraku value was
shown and was statistically different ( p50.05) at the
moment of sounding. However, the Ryodoraku value
also changed but did not show any significant difference
( p 4 0.05) between the 15th min and the 45th min of
sounding. In the 50 dB(A) noise environment, a changed
testees’ Ryodoraku value was detected and this was
statistically different from the moment of sounding at the
15th min. In the 60 dB(A) noise environment, there were
differences ( p50.05) in the testees’ Ryodoraku values
Ryodoraku Measurement of Human Response to Noise
within 45 min of sounding. In the 70 dB(A) noise
environment, the white noise had resulted in significant
differences in testees’ Ryodoraku values within 45 min
sounding, indicating that when the noise sound pressure
level 460 dB (A), this would pose a continuous effect on
human physiology.
Figure 7 shows the duration changes of the mean
Ryodoraku differences given by the testees’ 12 meridians
in response to the white noise environment posed by four
different sound pressure levels. As seen, in white noise
environment posed by four different sound pressure levels,
the Ryodoraku average value monitored at human’s 12
meridians, increased at the moment of sounding.
In the 40 dB (A) white noise environment, the
Ryodoraku average value of the testees increased by
3.6 mA at the moment of sounding, and began to decline
gradually after 15 min. In the 50 dB (A) white noise
environment, the Ryodoraku average value of the testees
increased by 4.9 mA at the moment of sounding, and
increased to 6.3 mA at the 15th min and then began to
decline. In the 60 dB(A) white noise environment, the
Ryodoraku average value of the testees increased by
5.7 mA at the moment of sounding, and the changes in the
human physiological response rose smoothly as the
experimental time progressed, and increased to 6.7 mA
gradually after 45 min. In the 70 dB(A) white noise
environment, the Ryodoraku average value of the testees
increased by 6.7 mA at the moment of sounding, and
increased to 7.7 mA continuously after 45 min.
In summary, the human physiological response is likely
to be influenced by external environmental noise. As the
detecting period increases, when ears are adapted to
the stimulation of noise at a low sound pressure, the
physiological response would decline gradually, and return
to the physiological state before the noise stimulation.
However, higher noise sound pressure level would lead to
a greater significant effect on human physiological
response. When the sound pressure level exceeds 60 dB
(A), the noise would continue to have an impact on human
physiology.
Influenced Meridian Positions
The 12 meridians can correspond to the changes in
different viscera and organs, hence, the effect of white
noises at different sound pressure levels on human body
can be measured from the changes in Ryodoten
Ryodoraku values of the 12 meridians. This study
analysed the Ryodoraku values of 12 meridians of the
testees measured at different time intervals in a white noise
Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 247
Table 2. The comparative result among Ryodoraku compound averages of different measurement time intervals before and after sounding
of white noises at four different sound pressure levels.
Experimental factors 40 dB(A) white noise 50 dB(A) white noise 60 dB(A) white noise 70 dB(A) white noise
Percipience period Mean  sd p-Value Mean  sd p-Value Mean  sd p-Value Mean  sd p-Value

Before sounding 49.94  8.95 0.029* 50.11  9.25 0.016* 43.35  11.01 0.01* 45.64  14.17 0.007*
Instant sounding 53.51  9.16 54.99  7.95 49.09  11.09 52.31  12.19
Before sounding 49.94  8.95 0.136 50.11  9.25 0.011* 43.35  11.01 0.009* 45.64  14.17 0.008*
After sounding in 15 mins 54.03  10.3 56.43  9.63 50.17  11.11 53.64  12.32
Before sounding 49.94  8.95 0.102 50.11  9.25 0.082 49.60  11.01 0.069 45.64  14.17 0.043*
After sounding in 30 mins 53.31  9.74 55.57  10.05 49.64  13.19 52.71  14.29
Before sounding 49.94  8.95 0.131 50.11  9.25 0.078 43.35  11.01 0.017* 45.64  14.17 0.022*
After sounding in 45 mins 52.95  8.68 54.52  7.76 50.06  10.02 53.32  13.34

Unit, mA; *p-value50.05.

Before sounding 40dB(A) white noise 50dB(A) white noise

After sounding 60dB(A) white noise 70dB(A) white noise
10

8 8.0
7.7
The mean of Ryodoraku value (DµA)

7 7.1
6.7 6.8 6.7
6.3 6.2
6
5.7
5.5
5 4.9
4.4
4 4.1
3.6 3.4
3 3.0

0 0.0
-30 -15 0 15 30 45 60
Time (mins )
Fig. 7. The duration changes of the mean Ryodoraku values given by the testees’ 12 meridians; in response to the white noise environment
posed by four different sound pressure levels.

environment at different sound pressure levels, and were mostly unilateral meridians. In a 50 dB(A) white
investigated whether the Ryodoraku values of the 12 noise environment, the proportion of affected meridians
meridians in different measurement phases before and increased from 33% to 42% between the moment of
after sounding were statistically, significantly different sounding and after 15th min of sounding. The affected
(p50.05), so as to distinguish the effects of the meridian meridians on the right and left sides were the Heart
positions. The results are shown in Table 3. meridians and the Triple Heater meridians, whereas the
The results indicated that in a 40 dB(A) white noise proportion of affected meridians decreased from 38% to
environment, six meridians were influenced at the moment 17% gradually after 45 min of sounding. In a 60 dB(A)
of sounding, about 25% of all meridians, and they were white noise environment, the affected meridian points
influenced continuously until the 15th min of sounding. increased gradually (over 50% were influenced), and the
The affected meridian on the right and left sides was the right and left meridians such as the Heart Constrictor
heart channel. When sounding continued for 45 min, the meridians, the Heart meridians, the Triple Heater
affected meridians decreased to positions 4–2, and these Meridians, the Kidney meridians, the Bladder meridians

248 Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 Chiang et al.

 Table 3. The comparative results of the Ryodorku values (24 present points average value) before and after sound of white noises at four different sound pressure levels
Sound pressure levels 40 dB (A) white noise 50 dB (A) white noise 60 dB (A) white noise 70 dB (A) white noise
Experimental time A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D

12 Meridians
Lung meridians L   
R    
Heart Constrictor meridians L           
R          
Heart meridians L             
R              
Small Intestine meridians L      
R  

Ryodoraku Measurement of Human Response to Noise

Triple Heater meridians L        
R          
Large Intestine meridians L  
R 
Spleen Pancreas meridians L         
R  
Liver meridians L     
R  
Kidney meridians L      
R   
Bladder meridians L       
R           
Gall Bladder meridians L         
R        
Stomach meridians L 
R    
The measurement value has a Quantity 6 6 4 2 8 10 9 4 12 12 10 12 13 15 12 14
statistics of significant differences
(%) 25 25 17 8 33 42 38 17 50 50 42 50 54 63 50 58

Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252

 represents p-value50.05; A, Instant sounding; B, after sounding in 15 min; C, after sounding in 30 min; D, after sounding in 45 min.

249

Fig. 8. The ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power (LHR)
of HRV analysis for the noises of different intensities. *p50.05,
compared with the background noise using repeated measures
ANOVA and post-hoc pair-wise comparison of least significant
difference. yp50.05, compared with the background noise using
Mann Whitney U test. Values were expressed in mean  SE [19].
and the Gall Bladder meridians, were influenced signifi-
cantly. In a 70 dB(A) white noise environment, the right
and left meridians, such as the Heart Constrictor
meridians, the Heart meridians, the Triple Heater
Meridians, the Kidney meridians, the Bladder meridians
and the Gall Bladder meridians, were influenced signifi-
cantly. The affected meridians increased to 58% from 54%
between the moment of sounding and after 45th min of
sounding.
According to the analysis of Ryodoraku responses of 12
meridians in different duration phases in the white noise
environment at different sound pressure levels, the heart
channel, the pericardium channel and the sanjiao
channel are likely to be influenced by external noise
environment continuously. When the sound pressure
level exceeded 60 dB (A), besides the heart channel, the
pericardium channel and the sanjiao channel, the
Ryodoraku values of the bladder channel and gall
bladder channel were also influenced and underwent
significant changes. This shows that the white noise at
excessive sound pressure level could develop a significant
impact on the excitability of autonomic nerve.
According to Dr Nakatani [34], the organs related to
the Heart Constrictor meridians are heart vesicle and
blood vessel, the organs related to the Heart meridians
are heart, tongue, eyes and axillae, the organs related to
the Triple Heater Meridians are lymphatic system, ears,
eyes and shoulder joints, the organs related to gall
bladder channel are gall bladder, head, eyes and muscle.
The physiological functions of these meridians and
organs are likely to be influenced by excessive noises,
250 Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252
9.0
8.0
The average value of Ryodorku values (µA)
7.4
7.0
6.4
6.0
5.3
5.0
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
40dB(A) white noise 50dB(A) white noise 60dB(A) white noise 70dB(A) white noise
4 different sound pressure levels
Fig. 9. Comparison diagram of white noise environment at four
different sound pressure levels influencing human Ryodoraku
responses.
so as to result in palpitation, heartbeat increase, tinnitus,
headache, abnormal BP, etc.
Comparative Analysis of Measurement Results of
Different Measurements
Lee et al. used the variance in HRV to analyse the
influence of white noises at different sound pressure levels
on human autonomic nerve in a short time in 2010 [19].
The HRV refers to the measurement intervals of R wave in
the testee’s EEGs. This would detect the power of low
band (0.04–0.15 Hz) and the power of high band (0.15–
0.40 Hz) based on the analysis of fast Fourier transform
(FFT) conversion, and provides an evaluation of the
function of the heart autonomic nerve according to the
ratio of LF to HF. LF/HF is the activity indicator of heart
sympathetic nerve, HF/(LF þ HF) is the activity indicator
of heart parasympathetic nerve. Lee et al. used white
noises at 50 dB (A), 60 dB (A), 70 dB (A) and 80 dB (A)
sound pressure levels as the environment stimulation
factors, and analysed the testee’s HRV after a short
period of stimulation. The experimental results showed
that higher noise sound pressure level would lead to more
obvious changes in the testees’ heart sympathetic nerve
activity responses (Figure 8).
In order to find out the differences in the influence of
white noises at four different sound pressure levels on
human responses, and compare the measurement results of
different measurements, this study compared the average
Ryodoraku values of 12 meridians of 21 testees measured
in different time intervals after sounding with the average
Ryodoraku value measured 15 min before sounding
(Figure 9). The results showed that the noise source at
Chiang et al.
higher sound pressure level had a greater significant
impact on the human Ryodoraku value response,
namely, noise at a higher sound pressure level would
pose a significantly greater stimulation to human auto-
nomic nerve.
This result is consistent with the studies using other
physiological response measuring instruments to evaluate
the influence of different noise sources on human
autonomic nerve [19,45,46]. Thus, the result confirmed
the feasibility of using Ryodoraku measurement method
for evaluation of human physiological responses.
Conclusion
This study used human Ryodoraku measuring instru-
ment to measure the changes in testees’ meridian
Ryodoraku responses before, during and after the changes
in experimental sounding environment. It further dis-
cussed the degree of influence of white noises at 40 dB (A),
50 dB (A), 60 dB (A) and 70 dB (A) sound pressure levels
on human physiological responses and various meridians.
The conclusions are as follows.
Feasibility of Applying Ryodoraku Measurement Method
to Evaluate the Influence of Indoor Noise on Human
Physiological Response
This study used statistical verification to validate that
white noises at different sound pressure levels would
influence human physiological response. Higher sound
pressure would lead to a more obvious influence on human
Ryodoraku responses. This finding is consistent with
relevant studies using other measuring methods to
evaluate the influence due to the changes in sound pressure
level on human autonomic nerve and central nerve
responses. Thus, illustrating that the Ryodoraku meas-
urement method could be applied to effectively evaluate
the degree of influence due to audible environment
changes; leading to human physiological responses.
The Influence of White Noises at Different Sound
Pressure Levels on Human Physiological Response
The experimental results showed that the noises at four
different sound pressure levels could have significant
influences on human physiological responses, but as the
detecting period increases and when ears are adapted to
the noise environment stimulation, the influence of the
noise sources at low sound pressure levels of 40 dB (A) and
50 dB (A) would gradually diminish. There was no
significant influence on Ryodoraku values of 12 meridians
after 30 min of sounding, and the physiological
state before the noise stimulation was resumed.
However, higher noise sound pressure level would lead
to significantly greater influence on human physiological
responses. When the sound pressure level exceeds 60 dB
(A), the noise would continue to pose an influence on
human physiology.
According to the comprehensive comparison among the
meridian positions influenced by white noises at four
different sound pressure levels, the Heart Constrictor
meridians, the Heart meridians and the Triple Heater
meridians are likely to be affected by the continuous
external noise environment continuously. And when the
sound pressure level exceeds 60 dB (A), the Ryodoraku
values of bladder meridians and gall Bladder meridians
could be influenced and produced obvious changes. This
illustrates that the white noise at an excessive sound
pressure level could have a significant impact on human
heart vesicle, blood vessel, ears, eyes, shoulder joints and
related digestive system and endocrine system, so as to
result in palpitation, heartbeat increase, tinnitus, head-
ache, abnormal BP, etc. Therefore, good soundproof
building materials for commercial or residential uses
should be used, and the indoor background noise sound
pressure level should be controlled to 540 dB (A) [47], so
as to reduce the disturbance and influence of noises on
human body, and maintain a healthy and comfortable
indoor environment.

References

1 Namba S, Kuwano S, Fastl H: On the judgment
of loudness, noisiness and annoyance with
actual and artificial noises: J Sound Vib
1998;127(3):457–465.
2 Guski R, Felscher-Suhr U: The concept of noise
annoyance: how international experts see it:
J Sound Vib 1999;223:513–527.
3 Belojevic G, Slepcevic V, Jakovljevic B: Mental
performance in noise: the role of introversion:
J Environ Psychol 2001;21:209–213.
4 Passchier-Vermeer W, Passchier WF: Noise
exposure and public health: Environ Health
Perspect 2000;108:123–131.
5 Trimmel M, Kundi M, Binder G, Groll-Knapp
E, Haider M: Combined effects of mental load
and background noise on CNS activity indicated
by brain DC potentials: Environ Int
1996;22(1):83–92.
6 Carter NL, Ingham P, Tran K: A field study of
the effects of traffic noise on heart rate and
cardiac arrhythmia during sleep: J Sound Vib
1994;169(2):211–227.
7 Sakamoto H, Hayashi F, Sugiura S, Tsujikawa
M: Psycho-circulatory responses caused by
listening music, and exposure to fluctuating
noise or steady noise: J Sound Vib 2002;
250(1):23–29.
8 Rylander R: Physiological aspects of noise-
induced stress and annoyance: J Sound Vib
2004;277:471–478.

Ryodoraku Measurement of Human Response to Noise Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 251
 9 Hirano Y, Fujita M, Watanabe K, Niwa M,
Takahashi T, Kanematsu M, Ido Y, Tomida
M, Onozuka M: Effect of unpleasant loud
noise on hippocampal activities during picture
encoding: an fMRI study: Brain Cogn
2006;61:280–285.
10 Hetu R, Fortin M: Potential risk of hearing
damage associated with exposure to highly
amplified music: J Am Acad Audiol 1995;6(5):
378–387.
11 Axelsson A, Prasher DK: Tinnitus: a warning
signal to teenagers attending discotheques?:
Noise Health 1999;2:1–2.
12 Job RFS: The Influence of subjective reactions
to noise on health effects of the noise: Environ
Int 1996;22(1): 93–104.
13 King RP, Davis JR: Community noise: health
effects and management: Int J Hyg Environ
Health 2003;206:123–131.
14 Hall FL, Taylor SM, Birnie SE: Activity
interference and noise annoyance: J Sound
Vib 1985;103:237–252.
15 de Silva RA, Lown B: Ventricular premature
beats, stress, and sudden death: Psychoso-
matics 1978;19:649–661.
16 Chang TY, Lai YA, Hsieh HH, Lai JS, Liu CS:
Effects of environmental noise exposure on
ambulatory blood pressure in young adults:
Environ Res 2009;109:900–905.
17 Lusk SL, Hagerty BM, Gillespie B, Caruso
CC: Chronic effects of workplace noise on
blood pressure and heart rate: Arch Environ
Health 2002;57:273–281.
18 Altimiras J: Understanding autonomic sym-
pathovagal balance from short-term heart rate
variations. Are we analyzing noise?: Comp
Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol
1999;124:447–460.
19 Lee GS, Chen ML and Wang GY: Evoked
response of heart rate variability using short-
duration white noise: Auton Neurosci
2010;155:94–97.
20 Arikan MK, Devrim M, Oran O, Inan S, Elhih
M, Demiralp T: Music effects on event-related
potentials of humans on the basis of cultural
environment: Neurosci Lett 1999;268:21–24.
21 Amenedo E, Escera C: The accuracy of sound
duration representation in the human brain
determines the accuracy of behavioural percep-
tion: Eur J Neurosci 2000;12:2570–2574.
22 Kaiser J, Birbaumer N, Lutzenberger W:
Magnetic oscillatory responses to lateralization
changes of natural and artificial sounds in
humans: Eur J Neurosci 2002;15:345–354.
23 Soeta Y, Nakagawa S, Tonoike M, Ando Y:
Magnetoencephalographic responses corre-
spond to individual annoyance of bandpass
noise: J Sound Vib 2004;277:479–489.
24 Brinkworth RSA, Turker KS: A method for
quantifying reflex responses from intra-mus-
cular and surface electromyogram: J Neurosci
Methods 2003;122:179–193.
25 Okada T, Honda M, Okamoto J, Sadato N:
Activation of the primary and association
auditory cortex by the transition of sound
intensity: a new method for functional ex-
amination of the auditory cortex in humans:
Neurosci Lett 2004;359:119–123.
26 Garcia D, Hall DA, Plack CJ: The effect of
stimulus context on pitch representations in
the human auditory cortex: Neuroimage
2010;51:808–816.
27 Thayer JF, Lane RD: A model of neurovisc-
eral integration in emotion regulation and
dysregulation: J Affect Disord 2000;61:
201–216.
28 Malpas SC, Evans RG: Do different levels and
patterns of sympathetic activation all provoke
renal vasoconstriction: J Auton Nerv Syst
1998;96:72–82.
29 Dittmar A, Rada H, Delhomme G, Vernet-
Maury E, Collet C, Roure R, Unterreiner R,
Robini M, Delemer C: A multi-sensor system
for the non-invasive measurement oh the
activity of the autonomic nervous system:
Sens Actuators, B 1995;26–27:461–464.
30 Sudheesh NN, Joseph KP: Investigation
into the effects of music and meditation on
galvanic skin response: ITBM-RBM
2000;21:158–163.
31 Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G: Caffeine and
the central nervous system: mechanisms of
action, biochemical, metabolic and psychosti-
mulant effects: Brain Res Rev 1992;17(2):
139–170.
32 Kapural L, Mekhail N: Assessment of sympa-
thetic blocks: Techn Reg Anesth Pain Manag
2001;5(3):82–87.
33 Pontarollo F, Rapacioli G, Bellavite P:
Increase of electrodermal activity of heart
meridian during physical exercise: the signifi-
cance of electrical values in acupuncture and
diagnostic importance: Complement Ther Clin
Pract 2010;16:149–153.
34 Nakatani Y: An aspect of the study of
Ryodoraku: Clin Chin Med 1956;3:54–56.
35 Nakatani Y: Skin electric resistance and
Ryodoraku: J Auton Nerve 1956;6:52.
36 Bornas X, Llabres J, Noguera M, Lopez AM,
Barcelo F, Tortella-Feliu M, Fullana MA:
Looking at the heart of low and high heart rate
variability fearful flyers: self-reported anxiety
when confronting feared stimuli: Biol Psychol
2005;70:182–187.
37 Gerra G, Zaimovic A, Franshini D, Palladino
M, Giucastr G, Reali N, Maestri D, Caccavari
R, Delsignore R, Brambilla F: Neuroendocrine
responses of healthy volunteers to techno-
music: Int J Psychol 1998;28:99–111.
38 Recordati G: A thermodynamic model of the
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous
systems: Auton Neurosci 2003;103:1–12.
39 Hugdahl K: Psychophysiology x: The Mind-
body Perspective. Cambridge, MA, Harvard
University Press, 1995.
40 Hoogenraad CC, Bradke F: Control of neuro-
nal polarity and plasticity-a renaissance for
microtubules?: Trends Cell Biol
2009;19(12):669–676.
41 Goncalves PP, Carvalho AP: Dual role of
K þ and Na þ on the transport of [3 H]-g-
aminobutyric acid by synaptic plasma mem-
brane vesicles: Mol Brain Res
1995;32:161–165.
42 Tsuei JJ, Lam FMK, Chou P: Clinical
applications of the EDST: IEEE Eng Med
Biol Mag 1996;15:67–75.
43 Nakatani Y: Ryodoraku Acupuncture – A
Guide for the Application of Ryodoraku
Theory-Electrical Acupuncture, A New
Autonomic Nerve Regulating Therapy. Okyo,
Seiwa Co. Ltd., 1977.
44 Nakatani Y: The Method of Autonomic
Nerves Adjustment. Japan, Ryodoraku
Research Institute, 1973.
45 Ohrstrom E, Skanberg A, Svensson H, Gidlof-
Gunnarsson A: Effects of road traffic noise
and the benefit of access to quietness: J Sound
Vib 2006;295:40–59.
46 Lee SE, Khew SK: Impact of road traffic and
other sources of noise on the school environ-
ment: Indoor Built Environ 1992;1:162–169.
47 Pettersson B: Indoor noise and high sound
levels – a transcription of the Swedish national
board of the health and welfare’s guidelines:
J Sound Vib 1997;205(4):475–480.

252 Indoor Built Environ 2012;21:241–252 Chiang et al.

View publication stats