The activation and deactivation effects on cerebellum of stimulating acupoints on the leg as revealed by fMRI / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate any effects of rubbing acupoints on the right leg on activation and deactivation responses in the human cerebellum. Methods Ten male, healthy, right-handed subjects were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while their Zusanli (ST36) , Yanglingquan (GB34),Fenglong (ST40) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints on the right lower extremity were stimulated. A block-designed method was applied. A piece of sponge was used to rub all the above-mentioned acupoints for stimulation. The mean values of the activation and deactivation signals in different cerebellar zones induced by stimulating each acupoint were calculated.Results Each acupoint could modulate cerebellum function in its specific way, but all acupoints induced the largest mean values in the Vermis Crus I area. The largest deactivation effects for all acupoints except Sanyinjiao were located in the Vermis VI area. For each acupoint, left and right side activation effects of the 20 zones of the cerebellum were basically consistent, though the mean values of most zones were higher on the right side. Conclusions The four acupoints studied not only shared common modulating effects, but also showed point-specific influence on cerebellum function. The effects exerted by each acupoint on the Vermis were greater than that on the cerebellar hemispheres. The phenomena observed in this study could contribute to acupoint selection during rehabilitation.