A true response of the brain network during electroacupuncture stimulation at scalp acupoints: An fMRI with simultaneous EAS study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore simultaneous brain network responses to electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) at scalp acupoints by accounting for placebo effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty healthy subjects were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in Group 1 with sham acupuncture stimulation at acupoints Shenting (GV24) and Touwei (ST8) without EAS. Group 2 underwent verum EAS at the same acupoints during fMRI. Independent component analysis was used to analyze the fMRI data. Full‐factor statistical analysis was used to compare the differences in fMRI data between the two groups and evaluate the changes in functional connectivity in brain networks after verum electrical stimulation (Group 1 [after sham electrical current stimulation − before sham electrical current stimulation] − Group 2 [after verum electrical current stimulation − before verum electrical current stimulation]) (p <.001, extent threshold k = 20 voxels). RESULTS: Six brain networks were identified. Significant increased functional connectivity was observed in the right and left executive control networks, sensorimotor network, and attention network, while decreased functional connectivity was mainly found in the default mode network. There were no statistically significant differences in the salience network. CONCLUSIONS: fMRI with simultaneous EAS provides a method to explore brain network responses due to EAS at scalp acupoints. The networks responsible for cognition are differentially activated by EAS in a coordinated manner.