Maintaining the cleanliness of acupuncture needles is crucial to ensure safety during treatments. In Japan, where visually impaired individuals often work as acupuncturists, maintaining needle hygiene without relying on vision is particularly important. This study evaluated whether the use of medical gloves or finger cots could prevent contaminants from acupuncturists’ fingers from adhering to needles. Twenty acupuncturists (10 sighted, 10 visually impaired) participated. Needles were touched under three conditions: bare hands, powdered latex finger cots, and powder-free nitrile gloves. Scanning electron microscopy revealed contaminants on needles touched with bare hands and powdered finger cots but none with nitrile gloves. Powder-free nitrile gloves effectively maintained needle cleanliness, independent of vision.
Mikako Tsunematsu, Motoyuki Imai, Kenji Imai
