摘要
Acupoint combination is a method used for acupoint treatment of patients. Traditionally, acupoints are matched along the meridian distribution, which is a common rule in clinical practice, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Cerebral scans with functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） have been used in the study of acupuncture and acupoint specifically. In this study, fMRI was used to detect the activation of the brain areas under different acupoints, matched along different meridians, to elucidate the acupoint combination via a modern medical approach. Forty healthy volunteers were randomly divided into the following groups： Waiguan point （SJ 5）, Waiguan （SJ 5） ＋ Zhigou （SJ 6） （2 acupoints come from the same meridian）, Waiguan （SJ 5） ＋ Neiguan （PC 6） （2 acupoints come from 2 meridians with the relationship of interior-exterior）, Waiguan （SJ 5） ＋ Yanglingquan （GB 34） （2 acupoints come from 2 meridians with the same name-Shaoyang Meridian）, and sham point groups （needling in different points on the right hand）. A real-time cerebral fMRI scan was simultaneously performed. The cerebral activation rate, and the number and strength of different regions of interest were compared among the groups. The fMRI cerebral imaging confirmed that there were some differences in the activation of cerebral areas by the needlings in SJ 5, and in combination with other acupoints. Needling at SJ 5 alone greatly activated the right cerebellum, while needling at both SJ 5 and different co-needling points activated different cerebral functional areas.
Acupoint combination is a method used for acupoint treatment of patients. Traditionally, acupoints are matched along the meridian distribution, which is a common rule in clinical practice, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Cerebral scans with functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） have been used in the study of acupuncture and acupoint specifically. In this study, fMRI was used to detect the activation of the brain areas under different acupoints, matched along different meridians, to elucidate the acupoint combination via a modern medical approach. Forty healthy volunteers were randomly divided into the following groups： Waiguan point （SJ 5）, Waiguan （SJ 5） ＋ Zhigou （SJ 6） （2 acupoints come from the same meridian）, Waiguan （SJ 5） ＋ Neiguan （PC 6） （2 acupoints come from 2 meridians with the relationship of interior-exterior）, Waiguan （SJ 5） ＋ Yanglingquan （GB 34） （2 acupoints come from 2 meridians with the same name-Shaoyang Meridian）, and sham point groups （needling in different points on the right hand）. A real-time cerebral fMRI scan was simultaneously performed. The cerebral activation rate, and the number and strength of different regions of interest were compared among the groups. The fMRI cerebral imaging confirmed that there were some differences in the activation of cerebral areas by the needlings in SJ 5, and in combination with other acupoints. Needling at SJ 5 alone greatly activated the right cerebellum, while needling at both SJ 5 and different co-needling points activated different cerebral functional areas.
基金
the National 973 Program of China, No. 2006CB504505
the National Nature Science Foundation of China, No. 90709027
作者简介
Xinsheng Lai, Doctor, Professor, Chief physician, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Meiridan Study, School of Acupuncture and Massage, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, ChinaCorresponding author： Yong Huang, Doctor, Professor, Chief physician, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China nfhy@fimmu.com
