Abstract:

Objective   To test the reproducibility of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) signal changes evoked by acupuncture stimulation. Methods   Twelve volunteers without any sign of the central nervous system and symptom were included in our studies. Twelve subjects participated in five identical scanning sessions with electro acupuncture stimulation at ST36, KI3 and nonacupoint (NP). The finger tapping of right hand was referred as control.To evaluate the reproducibility across different individuals and experimental sessions, an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyed. Results   Of the twelve volunteers who consented into the study, ten completed all five sessions.The signal changes had similar pattern during acupuncture at ST36 and KI3, which was significantly different from the nonacupoint stimulation.ICC analysis revealed that BOLD signal changes by electroacupuncture stimulation were significantly more variable than those from the control fingertapping task(P<0.05). Conclusion    The reproducibility of BOLD signal changes by electroacupuncture was significantly lower than that from the control fingertapping task.

Key words: Acupuncture; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Acupoint; Reproducibility