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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Monitoring Acupuncture Effects on Human Brain by fMRI
09:55

Monitoring Acupuncture Effects on Human Brain by fMRI

Published on: April 8, 2010

Neuroimaging acupuncture effects in the human brain.

Rupali P Dhond1, Norman Kettner, Vitaly Napadow

  • 1Massachusetts General Hospital/Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Harvard Medical School, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. polly@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.)
|August 28, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Acupuncture

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Acupuncture, an ancient East Asian therapy, has a 2000-year history.
  • Its precise mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy are still debated.
  • Acupuncture sensations suggest brain involvement and modulation of pain perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review neuroimaging research on acupuncture.
  • To explore the neurophysiological underpinnings of acupuncture's effects.
  • To connect neuroimaging findings with current acupuncture action hypotheses.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies utilizing neuroimaging techniques.
  • Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
  • Examination of positron emission tomography (PET) findings.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Monitoring Acupuncture Effects on Human Brain by fMRI
09:55

Monitoring Acupuncture Effects on Human Brain by fMRI

Published on: April 8, 2010

  • Evaluation of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) results.

    • Main Results:

    • Neuroimaging reveals acupuncture modulates brain activity in specific networks.
    • Findings suggest central nervous system (CNS) involvement in acupuncture's therapeutic effects.
    • Brain responses correlate with sensory experiences and pain perception changes.

    Conclusions:

    • Neuroimaging provides valuable insights into acupuncture's mechanisms.
    • These findings support the role of the brain in acupuncture's effects.
    • Further research can refine hypotheses on how acupuncture works.