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Role of fNIRS technology in observing the effect of needling Hegu (LI 4) on the functions of prefrontal cortex in healthy volunteers

应用fNIRS 技术观察针刺合谷穴对健康人前额叶皮层功能影响的研究

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Abstract

Objective

To observe the effect of needling Hegu (LI 4) on functions of the prefrontal cortex using the functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Methods

A total of 12 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group (n=6) and a control group (n=6). The control group received no intervention. The acupuncture group received needling Hegu (LI 4) on the right side. The real-time concentration changes of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), deoxygenated hemoglobin (d-Hb) and total hemoglobin (t-Hb) in the prefrontal cortex were recorded using the fNIRS, allowing for effect analysis of needling Hegu (LI 4) on the functions of the prefrontal cortex.

Results

Compared with the control group, the HbO2 and t-Hb concentrations were increased in the acupuncture group and there were between-group statistical significances (both P<0.05). There was no between-group statistical significance in d-Hb concentration (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Needling Hegu (LI 4) can extensively activate the prefrontal cortex and therefore has significant effect on the functions of the brain’s prefrontal cortex.

摘要

目的

利用功能近红外光谱成像(fNIRS)技术观察针刺合谷穴对健康人前额叶皮层功能的影响。

方法

将12 名健康受试者根据随机数字表随机分为对照组和针刺组, 每组6 例。对照组不予任何干预, 针刺组予以针刺右 侧合谷穴。利用近红外脑功能成像仪实时记录前额叶皮层区含氧血红蛋白(HbO2)、脱氧血红蛋白(d-Hb)和总血红 蛋白(t-Hb)的浓度变化, 分析针刺合谷穴对前额叶皮层功能的影响。

结果

与对照组比较, 针刺组HbO2 和t-Hb 浓度增高, 组间差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05); 而d-Hb 浓度组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。

结论

针刺合谷穴能引起前额叶皮层的广泛激活, 对前额叶皮层脑功能有明显的影响。

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金项目, No. 81460744); Project of Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province (甘肃省自然科学研究基金计划项目, No. 1308RJZA150).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Ya-di Han  (韩雅迪), Bo Yuan  (袁博), Yan-feng Zhang  (张彦峰), Xi-feng Wang  (王喜凤), Wan-ying Lang  (浪万英) & Xing-ke Yan  (严兴科)

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  1. Ya-di Han  (韩雅迪)
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  2. Bo Yuan  (袁博)
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  3. Yan-feng Zhang  (张彦峰)
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  4. Xi-feng Wang  (王喜凤)
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  5. Wan-ying Lang  (浪万英)
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  6. Xing-ke Yan  (严兴科)
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Correspondence to Xing-ke Yan  (严兴科).

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Han, Yd., Yuan, B., Zhang, Yf. et al. Role of fNIRS technology in observing the effect of needling Hegu (LI 4) on the functions of prefrontal cortex in healthy volunteers. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 15, 94–98 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-017-0982-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-017-0982-2

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