A true response of the brain network during electroacupuncture stimulation at scalp acupoints: An fMRI with simultaneous EAS study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore simultaneous brain network responses to electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) at scalp acupoints by accounting for placebo effects. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy subjects were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in Group 1 with sham acupuncture stimulation at acupoints Shenting (GV24) and Touwei (ST8) without EAS. Group 2 underwent verum EAS at the same acupoints during fMRI. Independent component analysis was used to analyze the fMRI data. Full-factor statistical analysis was used to compare the differences in fMRI data between the two groups and evaluate the changes in functional connectivity in brain networks after verum electrical stimulation (Group 1 [after sham electrical current stimulation − before sham electrical current stimulation] − Group 2 [after verum electrical current stimulation − before verum electrical current stimulation]) (p