Acupuncture attenuates exercise-induced increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Integrative Medicine
• Physiology

Background:

• Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) plays a crucial role in regulating cardiovascular function and stress responses.
• Acupuncture is a traditional therapy with potential neuromodulatory effects, but its impact on SSNA under different physiological conditions requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of acupuncture at the LI4 acupoint on SSNA in healthy subjects.
• To determine if acupuncture modulates SSNA during resting conditions versus during an acute elevation induced by handgrip exercise.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen healthy participants underwent LI4 acupuncture and sham needle insertion.
• Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) was measured using peroneal nerve microneurography.
• Measurements were taken during resting conditions and during submaximal intermittent handgrip exercise to elevate SSNA.

Main Results:

• Acupuncture at LI4 did not significantly alter SSNA, heart rate, or mean arterial blood pressure during resting conditions.
• During handgrip exercise, SSNA significantly increased with sham acupuncture but was attenuated by LI4 acupuncture.
• Heart rate and blood pressure increased during handgrip, with no significant difference between acupuncture and sham treatments.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture does not influence resting SSNA in healthy individuals.
• Acupuncture, specifically at the LI4 acupoint, demonstrates the capacity to attenuate acutely elevated SSNA during physical stress.