Real-time change in dynamic cerebral autoregulation after acupuncture at GB34 (Yanglingquan): a self-controlled study

Few interventions have been proven to improve dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA). GB34 is a common acupoint for motor function treatment in the clinic. However, the effects of acupuncture on dCA have never been reported and whether acupuncture at GB34 can improve dCA is unknown.

A self-controlled interventional study was conducted. Each participant randomly received two acupuncture interventions, including active acupuncture and sham acupuncture. Transcranial Doppler and servo-controlled finger photoplethysmography were used to record continuous cerebral blood flow velocity in the bilateral middle cerebral arteries and continuous blood pressure to assess dCA with transfer function analysis during acupuncture intervention.

Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled. The left and right phase values in the low-frequency band after acupuncture treatment were significantly higher than baseline levels. Meanwhile, a reduction in heart rate was observed after acupuncture treatment. In contrast, no real-time changes were observed in any parameters after sham acupuncture intervention.

The results suggested that treatment with acupuncture at GB34 increased dCA in young healthy volunteers. The increased dCA may contribute to the beneficial effects of acupuncture on cerebrovascular function.

https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=121012, identifier ChiCTR2100042762.