Image-based non-contact monitoring of changes in facial skin texture induced by the contact needle technique of acupuncture

In this study, we verified whether or not feature values of the facial skin texture can be used for facial complexion diagnosis. A total of 10 patients with fatigue were recruited and categorized under two groups: acupuncture group and blank control group. In the acupuncture group, the contact needle technique was used, while in the blank control group, the patients rested for 30 min in the supine position. We captured images of the facial skin using a digital camera before and after the intervention and then analyzed feature values from the images. The standard deviation (SD) of short-line inclination angles significantly decreased with acupuncture treatment. There was a significant difference in the SD of short-line inclination angles between the two groups. This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Kanazawa University Hospital in Japan [for human study: approval no. 2018-154 (2912)] in December 2018.