Structural Changes Induced by Acupuncture in the Recovering Brain after Ischemic Stroke
Ping Wu1, Yu-Mei Zhou1, Chen-Xi Liao1
1Acupuncture and Tuina School/Third Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
Summary
Acupuncture plus conventional therapy significantly improved stroke recovery and induced brain structural changes in grey matter. These findings suggest acupuncture may be a viable mechanism for enhancing motor and cognitive function after ischemic stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Ischemic stroke leads to grey matter damage, impacting motor and cognitive functions.
- Conventional treatments offer limited recovery, necessitating exploration of alternative therapies.
- Acupuncture is a traditional therapy with potential neurorehabilitative effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate grey matter (GM) changes in ischemic stroke patients undergoing acupuncture treatment.
- To explore the therapeutic response and potential mechanisms of acupuncture in stroke recovery.
- To compare the effects of acupuncture plus conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone.
Main Methods:
- 21 ischemic stroke patients were randomized into two groups: acupuncture plus conventional therapy (Group A) or conventional therapy alone (Group B) for 4 weeks.
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) were used to analyze cerebral grey matter changes.
- The modified Barthel index (MBI) assessed functional recovery and therapeutic effects.
Main Results:
- Group A showed significantly greater MBI score improvements compared to Group B.
- VBM analysis revealed extensive grey matter volume (GMV) changes in Group A, including increases in the left frontal lobe, precentral gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, and middle temporal gyrus.
- Increased GMV in the left anterior cingulate cortex and left middle temporal gyrus correlated positively with MBI score improvements in Group A.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture combined with conventional therapy promotes significant structural reorganization in specific brain regions, including frontal areas and default mode network (DMN) regions.
- These structural changes are associated with improved motor and cognitive recovery in ischemic stroke patients.
- Acupuncture may represent a promising therapeutic target and mechanism for enhancing neurorehabilitation after stroke.
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