Moxibustion Stimulation Induces Changes in Brain Activity: A Functional MR Imaging Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging
• Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Acupuncture is known to modulate neural circuits.
• The specific brain activation patterns induced by moxibustion stimulation are not well understood.
• Investigating moxibustion's neural effects is crucial for understanding its therapeutic mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain activation sites induced by moxibustion stimulation using functional MRI (fMRI).
• To explore the neural effects of an electric moxibustion device mimicking Japanese Tonetsu-kyu.
• To differentiate brain responses during various phases of moxibustion application.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two healthy adults underwent fMRI scans.
• Stimulation involved 6 rounds of 7-second moxibustion on acupuncture point ST36 using an electric device.
• Contact surface temperature was controlled at 58.6°C; stimulation phases included initial warming (ON1), sustained heat (ON2), and post-stimulation (ON3).

Main Results:

• Common brain activation during moxibustion was observed in the insula, S1 (primary somatosensory cortex), and supramarginal gyrus.
• Distinct activations were noted in the ON1 phase (central/frontal operculum, supplementary motor area) and ON2 phase (frontal pole, cerebellum, S2).
• Brain activation persisted after stimulation completion, indicating sustained neural effects.

Conclusions:

• Moxibustion stimulation affects brain regions associated with pain processing.
• The findings suggest moxibustion influences neural pathways similarly to other pain-modulating therapies.
• Further research into moxibustion-induced brain activation can elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms.