Imagined and Actual Acupuncture Effects on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.

Neural Plasticity
Jin CaoJian Kong

Abstract

Research suggests that imagined experiences can produce brain responses similar to those produced by actual experiences. Shared brain responses that support both imagination and perception may underlie the functional nature of mental imagery. In a previous study, we combined acupuncture and imagery to develop a new treatment method, video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT). We found that VGAIT significantly increased pain thresholds in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to extend our previous finding by investigating whether VGAIT can relieve symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain. We first performed a single-arm study in which we administered video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT) on patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) (Study 1, n = 18, 12 females). We then compared our findings to those from a recently published study in which real or sham acupuncture treatment was applied on patients with cLBP (Study 2, n = 50, 31 females) using a similar protocol. All patients in Studies 1 and 2 received 6 treatments over 4 weeks. All three treatments (VGAIT, real, and sham acupuncture) significantly reduced pain severity as measured by a low back pain bothersomeness score. VGAIT produced simila...Continue Reading

References

Aug 26, 1998·Lancet·K Streitberger, J Kleinhenz
Sep 5, 2001·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·S M KosslynW L Thompson
Jan 13, 2006·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Jian KongTed J Kaptchuk
Apr 21, 2007·Neurologic Clinics·Devon I Rubin
Jan 2, 2008·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Jian KongTed J Kaptchuk
Apr 9, 2008·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Ted J KaptchukAnthony J Lembo
Jun 20, 2008·Behavioural Brain Research·Darin D DoughertyRandy L Gollub
Oct 8, 2008·Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology·Andrew RosenblumRussell K Portenoy
Dec 20, 2008·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·A D Bud Craig
May 13, 2009·Archives of Internal Medicine·Daniel C CherkinRichard A Deyo
Jun 17, 2009·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Samuel T Moulton, Stephen M Kosslyn
Mar 30, 2010·Behavioural Brain Research·Jian KongTung-ping Su
Jun 15, 2011·Pain Medicine : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine·Chantal BernaEmily A Holmes
Feb 12, 2013·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Younbyoung ChaeChristian Wallraven
Aug 13, 2013·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Rosa B SpaethJian Kong
Dec 10, 2013·Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology·Rachelle BuchbinderDamian G Hoy
Nov 5, 2014·JAMA Internal Medicine·Daniel J MorganSanket Dhruva
May 29, 2015·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Lisa Feldman Barrett, W Kyle Simmons
Jul 16, 2015·Pain Management Nursing : Official Journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses·Peter R GiacobbiGeorge A Kelley
Jul 28, 2015·Scientific Reports·Won-Mo JungYounbyoung Chae
Apr 23, 2012·Journal of Experimental Psychopathology·Chantal BernaEmily A Holmes
Feb 5, 2016·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Donna M LloydTuro Nurmikko
Apr 20, 2017·European Journal of Pain : EJP·K J PeerdemanA W M Evers
Sep 12, 2018·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Chantal BernaIrene Tracey

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 29, 2020·Medical Acupuncture·Jian Kong, Maya Nicole Eshel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

VGAIT
R
JASP

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.