Observation with fMRI on central mechanisms of acupuncture at ST36 using reinforcing and reducing techniques / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the central mechanisms when induced by acupuncture at ST36 using different needling techniques with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods Thirty-two healthy young volunteers were enrolled in the experiment. Eleven volunteers accepted acupuncture at ST36 using reinforcing techniques for electroacupuncture (EA), 11 accepted acupuncture using reducing techniques for EA, and the rest 10 accepted acupuncture at sham EA. The data of fMRI were collected and analyzed with statistical parametric mapping (SPM2) after real EA at ST36 or sham EA in right leg. Results Five minutes after acupuncture, fMRI data of reinforcing group demonstrated significant activation in the bilateral caudate nucleus, thalamus, left insula, cingulate gyrus, dentate body of cerebellum. From 20 to 30 minutes after acupuncture, fMRI data demonstrated significant activation of true acupuncture groups in the left thalamus, paracentral lobule, gyrus precentralis, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, insula, bilateral caudate nucleus, hemisphaerium cerebelli, anterior and posterior cingulate gyrus. The signal of the reinforcing group for EA was stronger than the reducing group for EA. Acupunture of the false point activated the paracentral lobe and the hemisphere of cerebellum only. Conclusion Stimulation of acupoint ST36 with acupuncture activated different parts of the autonomic nerve system, including imbic system, supplementary motor area, grey matter, etc. Reinforcing technique for EA is better than reducing technique at ST36.