Effects of contralateral electroacupuncture on brain function: a double-blind, randomized, pilot clinical trial
Item
Title
Effects of contralateral electroacupuncture on brain function: a double-blind, randomized, pilot clinical trial
Author(s)
Journal Publication
Date
2006
volume
12(8)
pages
813-815
Research Type
RCT
Keywords
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of contralateral acupuncture on brain function using blind-spot mapping. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Forty (40) healthy volunteers in whom the right-side blind spot was larger than the left-side one-which indicates lower left-brain function-were randomly assigned into the following two groups in which electroacupuncture was applied to: (1) the contralateral ST36 acupuncture point (right side), and (2) the ipsilateral ST36 acupuncture point (left side). OUTCOME MEASURE: Blind-spot perimetry length was the outcome measure. RESULTS: Electroacupuncture to the contralateral side decreased the blind-spot perimetry length by 5.0 (-9.3 to 0.9) [median (interquartile range, IQR)], whereas that to the ipsilateral side increased the length by 4.5 (-3.7 to 7.8) [median, IQR]. There was significant difference in this length between the two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that electroacupuncture application increased or decreased the brain function- as assessed by changes to the blind spot-depending on the treatment side: Contralateral-side treatment has a better effect than ipsilateral-side treatment on brain function. However, further randomized studies that include both right- and left-side-enlarged subjects with a sham needle are needed to convincingly show the effects of contralateral acupuncture on brain function.
pmid
Date of Input: 5/22/2015; Date Modified: 6/25/2015; Availability: --In File--; Priority: Normal; Healthy Subjects; Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, National Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.; eng; Web: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17034288
has health condition studied
Healthy Subjects
has study population number
40
has duration
1 Day