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

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.