The sedative effect of electro-acupuncture on healthy people and its possible mechanism using electroencephalogram power spectral density / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the sedative effect of electro-acupuncture on healthy people and its possible mechanism by using EEG power spectral density. Methods: Totally 12 healthy subjects were stimulated by electro-acupuncture at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shenmen (HT7) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints. The multichannel EEG signals induced by electro-acupuncture in electroacupuncture-free state (resting state) and electro-acupuncture state were recorded for 30 minutes respectively. The sedation level of the subjects was monitored by bispectral index monitor (BIS). The power spectrum density (PSD) was employed to analyze the power changes of EEG during electro-acupuncture. Results: Compared with that of the resting state, the BIS value of electro-acupuncture state decreased significantly (P<0.05), the δ band power of EEG signal increased significantly (P<0.05), the α band power of EEG signal decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture alone can produce sedative effect. The change of EEG activity and the increase of slow wave activity may be related to the sedative effect.