"Meridian-like channels" in dead human subjects?: A negative result

Background: At the moment generally accepted proof for meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) cannot be considered as being given. Goal of this study was to examine whether possible stimulation-induced meridian-like structures, as recently described by other authors, can be visualized and objectified in dead human subjects using infrared thermography. Methods: Two infrared cameras at different wavelength ranges (2 5 μm and 7.5 13 μm) were used. To validate the method described by other authors, investigations in two dead subjects (72 and 84 years) were performed. Results: After moxibustion of the body, different structures appear on thermographic images of the human body which are technical artifacts and which are not identical to what are known as meridians in TCM. Conclusion: The findings raise questions about the validity of the method described by other authors. Further studies in alive human subjects are necessary regarding the possible visualization of meridians.