Feasibility and positive effects of scalp acupuncture for modulating motor and cerebral activity in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A variety of acupuncture therapies have shown efficacy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate scalp acupuncture (SA) effects on motor and cerebral activity by using gait equipment and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: Twelve patients with PD received SA. They underwent the first functional-imaging scan after tactile stimulation and the second scan following needle removal. Gait test and local sensation assessment were performed immediately after each functional scan. Gait parameter differences between pre- and post-SA were analyzed using a paired t-test and altered brain areas in degree centrality (DC) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) were identified between the two scans. RESULTS: Eight patients completed the experiment. Stride length, maximum ankle height, maximum ankle horizontal displacement, gait speed, and range of shank motion significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.05). fALFF in left middle frontal gyrus and DC in left cerebellum (corrected) increased, while fALFF in left inferior parietal lobule (corrected) during SA decreased, compared with those in tactile stimulation. A positive correlation was observed between right limb swings and both fALFF areas. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in gait and brain analyses presented modulation to motor and brain activity in PD, thus, providing preliminary evidence for SA efficacy.