Sensorimotor Learning of Acupuncture Needle Manipulation Using Visual Feedback

Abstract

ObjectiveHumans can acquire a wide variety of motor skills using sensory feedback pertaining to discrepancies between intended and actual movements. Acupuncture needle manipulation involves sophisticated hand movements and represents a fundamental skill for acupuncturists. We investigated whether untrained students could improve their motor performance during acupuncture needle manipulation using visual feedback (VF).MethodsTwenty-one untrained medical students were included, randomly divided into concurrent (n = 10) and post-trial (n = 11) VF groups. Both groups were trained in simple lift/thrusting techniques during session 1, and in complicated lift/thrusting techniques in session 2 (eight training trials per session). We compared the motion patterns and error magnitudes of pre- and post-training tests.ResultsDuring motion pattern analysis, both the concurrent and post-trial VF groups exhibited greater improvements in motion patterns during the complicated lifting/thrusting session. In the magnitude error analysis, both groups also exhibited reduced error magnitudes during the simple lifting/thrusting session. For the training period, the concurrent VF group exhibited reduced error magnitudes across all training trials, whereas the post-trial VF group was characterized by greater error magnitudes during initial trials, which gradually reduced during later trials.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that novices can improve the sophisticated hand movements required for acupuncture needle manipulation using sensorimotor learning with VF. Use of two types of VF can be beneficial for untrained students in terms of learning how to manipulate acupuncture needles, using either automatic or cognitive processes.

Trends in Acupuncture Training Research: Focus on Practical Phantom Models

“…There were 7 articles related to phantom-based acupuncture education programs (Table 3) [29,33,[37][38][39][40][41]. The phantoms used in the acupuncture education program included agarose gels (n = 4) and silicone (n = 3), of which 2 articles were counted in duplicate.…”

Characterizing the Stimulation Intensity in Acupuncture Manipulation Techniques for Tonification and Sedation Therapy

“…. 󰡔난경󰡕에서 보법은 위분(衛分)에서 기를 모 으고(取氣), 사법을 시행할 때는 영분(榮分)으로부터 기를 놓아둔다 (置氣)고 하였다 (8) . 활수의 주석에서 보법은 경을 따라가지 않는 위 를 취하여 허한 곳을 보하는 것이고, 사법은 영을 따라 그 기를 놓아두고 쓰지 않은 것으로 설명하였다 (9) .…”

Guidance for Acupuncture Robot with Potentially Utilizing Medical Robotic Technologies

“…Separate mechanisms with independent control can be used to perform horizontal and vertical positioning, orientation, and instrument insertion such as visual feedback and force feedback. An acupuncture robot can improve the sophisticated movements required for acupuncture needle manipulation using sensor motor learning during acupuncture needle manipulation using visual feedback [ 66 ]. Pupillary reaction as a feedback of acupuncture varies depending on the different stimulation acupoints [ 67 ].The combined finite-element and kinematic analysis led to an improved performance according to repeated positioning accuracy and curative effect [ 68 ].…”