Observation on the effect of acupoint stimulation on regional cerebral blood flow using near-infrared spectroscopy technology

Abstract Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at K ngzui ( LU 6), Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6) and Zuānl ( ST 36) on cerebral blood oxygenation level and explore the relevance between acupuncture and cerebral blood oxygenation level using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Methods Quasi-randomized design (random test sequence) was used. In clinical trial , placebo acupuncture was applied at Băihui ( GV 20) of 18 adults. In clinical trial , 54 adults were divided into three groups with 18 each in which acupuncture was applied at LU 6, SP 6 and ST 36 respectively. Before and after acupuncture, verbal fluency test (VFT) was performed and the blood oxygenation level of cerebral cortex was measured using NIRS. Quantized data was processed with JMP10.0.2 software and SPSS software. Results In clinical trial , the mean integral values of cerebral blood oxygenation level were 10.8 mMcm·s and 9.2 mMcm·s respectively before and after acupuncture at GV 20 in placebo acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in the cerebral blood oxygenation level after acupuncture. In clinical trial , the mean integral values of cerebral blood oxygen level were 18.1 mMcm·s and 8.6 mMcm·s respectively before and after acupuncture at LU 6 in [LU 6] acupuncture group, the cerebral blood oxygenation level was significantly decreased after acupuncture ( P = 0.001). The mean integral values of cerebral blood oxygenation level were 16.1 mMcm·s and 17.4 mMcm·s respectively before and after acupuncture at SP 6 in [SP 6] acupuncture group, the cerebral blood oxygenation level was slightly increased after acupuncture, but the increase was not statistically significant. The mean integral values of cerebral blood oxygenation level were 13.8 mMcm·s and 10.1 mMcm·s respectively before and after acupuncture at ST 36 in [ST 36] acupuncture group, the cerebral blood oxygenation level was slightly deceased after acupuncture, but the increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion The cerebral blood oxygenation level of frontal head was decreased by acupuncture at LU 6, the cerebral blood oxygenation level of frontal head was intended to decrease by acupuncture at ST 36. The cerebral blood oxygenation level of frontal head is intended to increase by acupuncture at SP 6.