"The aim of this study is to compare the distinct cerebral activation with continued wave (CW) and 10Hz-modulated wave
(MW) stimulation during low-level laser acupuncture. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed
to investigate the possible mechanism during laser acupuncture stimulation at the left foot’s yongquan (K1) acupoint. There are
12 healthy right-handed volunteers for each type of laser stimulation (10-Hz-Modulated wave: 8 males and 4 females; continued
wave: 9 males and 3 females). The analysis of multisubjects in this experiment was applied by random-effect (RFX) analysis. In
CW groups, significant activations were found within the inferior parietal lobule, the primary somatosensory cortex, and the
precuneus of left parietal lobe. Medial and superior frontal gyrus of left frontal lobe were also aroused. In MWgroups, significant
activations were found within the primary motor cortex and middle temporal gyrus of left hemisphere and bilateral cuneus.
Placebo stimulation did not show any activation. Most activation areas were involved in the functions of memory, attention,
and self-consciousness. The results showed the cerebral hemodynamic responses of two laser acupuncture stimulation modes and
implied that its mechanism was not only based upon afferent sensory information processing, but that it also had the hemodynamic
property altered during external stimulation."
Relation:
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
