Evaluating Acupuncture Point and Nonacupuncture Point Stimulation with EEG: A High-Frequency Power Spectrum Analysis

Abstract

To identify physical and sensory responses to acupuncture point stimulation (APS), nonacupuncture point stimulation (NAPS) and no stimulation (NS), changes in the high-frequency power spectrum before and after stimulation were evaluated with electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 37 healthy subjects received APS at the LI4 point, NAPS, or NS with their eyes closed. Background brain waves were measured before, during, and after stimulation using 8 channels. Changes in the power spectra of gamma waves and high beta waves before, during, and after stimulation were comparatively analyzed. After NAPS, absolute high beta power (AHBP), relative high beta power (RHBP), absolute gamma power (AGP), and relative gamma power (RGP) tended to increase in all channels. But no consistent notable changes were found for APS and NS. NAPS is believed to cause temporary reactions to stress, tension, and sensory responses of the human body, while APS responds stably compared to stimulation of other parts of the body.

Case report: fainting during acupuncture stimulation at acupuncture point LI4

“…This analysis was supported by sLoreta location analysis, which showed EEG activity in the medial part of the primary sensory cortex (BA3, 1 and 2) and the somatosensory association cortex (BA5), thus which indicating stimulation of the forearm or hand. The increase of EEG amplitude was observed at prior studies [ 13 , 14 ] and even very significantly increasing of the amplitude also observed [ 15 ], however, in some study, we could find that most of channels are not changed [ 1 ].…”

“…The efficacy, economical feasibility and safety of acupuncture treatment have been demonstrated in thousands of clinical studies. Acupuncture treatment can replace or reduce the dosage of the drugs such as amitriptyline [ 1 ], taxane [ 2 ] or morphine [ 3 ] to prevent adverse event that are prescribed to patients to treat various disease including chronic pain. This replacement reduces the adverse effects of drugs, however, acupuncture treatment may also be associated with minor and less critical adverse effects.…”

Therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture point stimulation for stomach cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…For example, the characteristics of acupuncture points and meridian pulses, including electrical ( 40 ), temperature ( 41 ), anatomical ( 42 ), and photon ( 43 ) characteristics, have been identified. In addition to the direct characteristics of acupuncture points, several studies using bioimaging technology, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging, have evaluated the effects of the physical stimulation of acupuncture points on the human body ( 44–46 ). Indeed, acupuncture points also serve a role in analgesia.…”

Interpretation of acupoint location in traditional Chinese medicine teaching: Implications for acupuncture in research and clinical practice

“…Ultrasound imaging of acupoints is developed as a reliable and practical procedure for the accurate and safe insertion of needles (Kim et al, 2017). Before and after acupoint stimulation, the high-frequency power spectrum has been assessed by electroencephalography, and acupoint responses were found to be stable compared to stimulation elsewhere in the body (Choi et al, 2016). The skin oxygen (O 2 ) density distribution has been monitored by high-sensitive electrochemical O 2 microsensors to localize the acupoints (Lee, Lee, Park, Jang, & Jhon, 2009).…”