OBJECTIVE: To quantify pulse waveform features in healthy adults under different fasting states and to explore the relationship between gastrointestinal “deficiency” and “excess” states [in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sense] and corresponding pulse patterns at key pulse positions.

METHODS: Fifty-one healthy participants were enrolled and underwent standardized pulse recording at three time points: pre-fasting (Day 0), during-fasting (Day 4), and post-fasting (Day 7). Pulse signals were collected at the Left Cun, Right Cun, and Right Guan positions, which are classically associated with the heart, lungs, and spleen, respectively. Quantitative pulse parameters were extracted and compared across the three stages using statistical analyses to detect within-subject changes.

RESULTS: Significant differences in pulse patterns were observed across the three fasting stages, with the most pronounced changes occurring between pre-fasting and post-fasting. Overall pulse strength and related quantitative indices decreased from pre-fasting to post-fasting, and these changes were correlated with the relative fullness or emptiness of the gastrointestinal system. The Left Cun, Right Cun, and Right Guan positions contributed most strongly to discriminating between fasting stages.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides quantitative evidence that gastrointestinal loading status is reflected in measurable changes in pulse characteristics at specific TCM pulse positions, supporting classical TCM theories regarding the roles of the stomach and spleen in Qiand blood regulation. These findings offer a preliminary bridge between traditional pulse diagnosis and modern quantitative assessment, and lay the groundwork for future studies integrating TCM concepts with contemporary biomedical methods.