The Short-term Modulation of Scalp Acupuncture on the Cortical Excitability in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

ABSTRACT

Acupuncture was frequently used for alternative treatments in Parkinson's disease because of its safety,but there was an argument whether acupuncture improves motor symptoms or not.Besides,few electrophysiological studies were designed for acupuncture combined with Parkinson's disease Using the technique of paired transcranial pulse magnetic stimulation,we measured the excitability of corticocortical inhibitory circuits to investigate effects of scalp acupuncture from 9 patients with Parkinson's disease.Although patients didn't take any short-term benefit in motor symptoms through the treatment of scalp acupuncture,there was no any adverse event,and some electrophysical effects developed in patients.The enhanced corticocortical inhibition on motor cortex possibly developed at longer interstimulus intervals,and there was a relatively increase in later part of motor-related cortical potentials on the central part and right-side near vertex around over sensory cortex,but was not significant in early potentials.So a further long-term study is essential to ascertain the physical mechanism and clinical effects in scalp acupuncture.