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The fMRI study for acupuncture on shift work sleep disorder: Study protocol for a randomized controlled neuroimaging
Yanzhe Ning1, Xueyan Liu1,2, Hao Yao2
1The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University.
Medicine
|September 9, 2020
Summary
Acupuncture may effectively treat shift work disorder (SWD) by modulating brain activity. This study investigates acupuncture
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Integrative Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Shift work disorder (SWD) affects nearly 20% of night shift nurses, disrupting sleep-wake cycles and impacting health.
- Acupuncture is recognized as a safe and effective intervention for SWD.
- Understanding the central mechanisms of acupuncture for SWD is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treating SWD.
- To explore the underlying neuroimaging mechanisms of acupuncture's effects on SWD using fMRI.
- To correlate neuroimaging findings with cognitive function improvements.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled neuroimaging trial involving 60 SWD patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Participants were assigned to a control group, true acupoint acupuncture (TATG), or sham acupoint acupuncture (SATG) (1:1:1 ratio).
- Functional connectivity (intra- and inter-network) was assessed via fMRI before and after 4 weeks of treatment, alongside cognitive and sleep assessments.
Main Results:
- Primary outcomes focus on changes in functional brain connectivity.
- Secondary outcomes include improvements in cognitive function (neuropsychological tests, attention) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).
- Exploration of correlations between neuroimaging indicators and clinical/cognitive data.
Conclusions:
- This study aims to confirm acupuncture's therapeutic effects on SWD.
- It seeks to elucidate the central mechanisms by which acupuncture influences brain activity in SWD patients.
- Findings will provide evidence for acupuncture as a treatment for SWD and its neurological basis.
