Effects of Acupuncture on Anxiety Levels and Prefrontal Cortex Activity Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Pilot Study

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
K SakataniTeruyasu Hirayama

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that acupuncture is useful in treating somatic and psychological disorders caused by stress; however, the physiological basis of the effect remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of acupuncture on psychological conditions (i.e., anxiety) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. We studied 10 patients with anxiety disorders and measured anxiety levels by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), including state anxiety (STAI-1) and trait anxiety (STAI-2). Employing a two-channel NIRS device, we measured oxy-Hb concentration in the bilateral PFC at rest, and evaluated asymmetry of the PFC activity by calculating the Laterality Index at Rest (LIR). The patients were treated by acupuncture at Yui Clinic in Osaka. The treatment significantly decreased the STAI-1 score (p<0.001), but not the STAI-2 score (p>0.05). The NIRS measurements indicated the presence of spontaneous oscillations of oxy-Hb in the bilateral PFC at rest before and after the treatment. Notably LIR decreased significantly in 7 out of the 10 subjects (p<0.01), while 3 subjects showed an increasing tendency. The present pilot study indicates that acupuncture is effective in decreasing anxiety levels in patien...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 24, 2019·Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience·Usman GhafoorHo-Ryong Yoo
Mar 11, 2017·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Chae Ha YangMi Young Lee
Nov 13, 2018·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Hyo Sun RohYoung S Gwak

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