lectroacupuncture modulates cortical excitability in a manner dependent on the parameters use

Author(s):Show less -

de Brito, Francisco Xavier ^{[1, 2]} ; Luz-Santos, Cleber ^{[1, 2]} ; Camatti, Janine Ribeiro ^{[1, 3]} ; de Souza da Fonseca, Rodrigo Jorge ^[1] ; Suzarth, Giovana ^[1] ; Moraes, Laise Monteiro Campos ^[1] ; da Silva, Marcelo Lourenco ^[4] ; da Silva, Josie Resende Torres ^[4] ; Vercelino, Rafael ^[5] ; Sa, Katia Nunes ^[6] ; Zana, Yossi ; Baptista, Abrahao Fontes ^{[1, 2, 3, 7, 8]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Bahia, Hlth & Funct Study Nucleus, Salvador, BA - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Bahia, Grad Program Med & Human Hlth, Salvador, BA - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Math Computat & Cognit, BR-09080045 Sao Bernardo Do Campo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Alfenas, Inst Motr Sci, Alfenas, MG - Brazil

^[5] Fed Univ Hlth Sci Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[6] Bahiana Sch Med & Publ Hlth, Res & Innovat, Salvador, BA - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Med Invest LIM 54 54, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[8] FAPESP, CEPID BRAINN, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Acupuncture in Medicine; v. 40, n. 2 DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction: There is evidence that electroacupuncture (EA) acts through the modulation of brain activity, but little is known about its influence on corticospinal excitability of the primary motor cortex (M1). Objective: To investigate the influence of EA parameters on the excitability of M1 in healthy individuals. Methods: A parallel, double blind, randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects, evaluating the influence of an EA intervention on M1 excitability. Participants had a needle inserted at LI4 in the dominant hand and received electrical stimulation of different frequencies (10 or 100 Hz) and amplitude (sensory or motor threshold) for 20 min. In the control group, only a brief (30 s) electrical stimulation was applied. Single and paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation coupled with electromyography was applied before and immediately after the EA intervention. Resting motor threshold, motor evoked potential, short intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation were measured. Results: EA increased corticospinal excitability of M1 compared to the control group only when administered with a frequency of 100 Hz at the sensory threshold (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the other measures. Conclusion: The results suggest that EA with an intensity level at the sensorial threshold and 100 Hz frequency increases the corticospinal excitability of M1. This effect may be associated with a decrease in the activity of inhibitory intracortical mechanisms. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/20875-2 - Identifying neural correlates of time perception and intertemporal choice: a developmental approach
• Grantee: Janine Ribeiro Camatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)