Open AccessChanges in resting‐state functional connectivity in nonacute sciatica with acupuncture modulation: A preliminary study
Author(s) -
Liu ChingHsiung,
Yeh TzuChen,
Kung YenYing,
Tseng HungPin,
Yang ChingJu,
Hong TzuYi,
Cheng ChouMing,
Yang JenLin,
Wu TaPeng,
Hsieh JenChuen,
Chen FangPey
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.1494
Subject(s) - medicine , precuneus , acupuncture , sciatica , resting state fmri , default mode network , posterior cingulate , functional magnetic resonance imaging , inferior parietal lobule , anterior cingulate cortex , neuroscience , chronic pain , anesthesia , psychology , physical therapy , pathology , psychiatry , radiology , cognition , alternative medicine
Aims To investigate the functional connectivity (FC) in nonacute sciatica and the neuronal correlation of acupuncture analgesia. Methods A prospective study employing resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted. Twelve sciatica patients were enrolled to receive six or 18 acupoints of acupuncture treatment twice a week for 4 weeks. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed‐based FC were performed. Results Regional homogeneity analysis demonstrated a greater alteration in the right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) during the pre‐acupuncture phase than during the postacupuncture phase. Compared to that of healthy controls, the PCC‐seeded FC (default mode network, DMN) of sciatica patients exhibited hyperconnectivity of PCC‐FC with the PCC‐bilateral insula, cerebellum, inferior parietal lobule, right medial prefrontal cortex, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during the pre‐acupuncture phase as well as hypoconnectivity of PCC‐FC with the right cerebellum, left precuneus, and left dorsal medial prefrontal cortex during the postacupuncture phase. Correlation analysis between PCC‐seeded FC and behavior measurements revealed a positive association with the duration of sciatica in the right inferior parietal lobule prior to acupuncture treatment. Conclusions Acupuncture in chronic sciatica patients is associated with normalized DMN activity and modulation of descending pain processing. The changes in the subclinical endophenotype of brain FC after acupuncture treatment may provide clues for understanding the mechanism of acupuncture‐mediated analgesia in chronic pain.