Electroacupuncture stimulation to modulate neural oscillations in promoting neurological rehabilitation

Ruiren Wu; Hongli Ma; Jun Hu; Deheng Wang; Feng Wang; Xiaoming Yu; Yuanli Li; Wang Fu; Minghui Lai; Zekai Hu; Wei Feng; Chunlei Shan; Cong Wang

doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148642

Electroacupuncture stimulation to modulate neural oscillations in promoting neurological rehabilitation

Brain Res. 2024 Jan 1:1822:148642. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148642. Epub 2023 Oct 24.

Authors

Ruiren Wu¹, Hongli Ma¹, Jun Hu², Deheng Wang³, Feng Wang⁴, Xiaoming Yu⁵, Yuanli Li⁶, Wang Fu⁴, Minghui Lai⁵, Zekai Hu², Wei Feng⁷, Chunlei Shan⁶, Cong Wang⁸

Affiliations

¹ The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
³ School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁵ Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁶ School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁷ School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁸ The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurology, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: congwang11@outlook.com.

PMID: 37884179
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148642

Abstract

Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is a modern neuromodulation technique that integrates traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy with contemporary electrical stimulation. It involves the application of electrical currents to specific acupoints on the body following acupuncture. EA has been widely used in the treatment of various neurological disorders, including epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Recent research suggests that EA stimulation may modulate neural oscillations, correcting abnormal brain electrical activity, therefore promoting brain function and aiding in neurological rehabilitation. This paper conducted a comprehensive search in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI using keywords like "electroacupuncture," "neural oscillations," and "neurorehabilitation", covering the period from year 1980 to 2023. We provide a detailed overview of how electroacupuncture stimulation modulates neural oscillations, including maintaining neural activity homeostasis, influencing neurotransmitter release, improving cerebral hemodynamics, and enhancing specific neural functional networks. The paper also discusses the current state of research, limitations of electroacupuncture-induced neural oscillation techniques, and explores prospects for their combined application, aiming to offer broader insights for both basic and clinical research.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture Therapy*
Electroacupuncture* / methods
Epilepsy*
Humans
Stroke*