Objective : To localize and compare the cerebral regions- activated by the the stimulation of traditional and burning acupunctures in right Hap-Kok (LI4) acupoints.
Methods : Thirty-four healthy normal volunteers (19 males, 15 females, age 31±11 years) were studies by rest/acupuncture Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT using same-dose sequential injection method using right Hap-Kok(LI4), traditional and burning acupunctures. All images were spatially normalized and the differences between rest and acupuncture activation state were statistically analyzed using SPM 96.
Results : Statistical analysis of the effect by the stimulation using traditional acupuncture in right L14 showed regional cerebral perfusion increase in right inferior frontal lobe, right straight gyrus, left anterolateral frontal lobe, left anteroinferor temporal lobe, left posterior temporal lobe, and left cerebellum. In the stimulation using burning acupuncture in right L14, regional cerebral perfusion increased in right posterior prefrontal lobe, right precental gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, right poteroinferior temporal lobe, left precentral gyrus, left Broca´s area, left anterior parietal lobe, left posterior prefrontal lobe, and left cerebellum.In right LA, diffuse perfusion increase were noted in the both inferior frontal lobe by traditional acupuncture compared to burning acupuncture.
Conclusion : The results localized the cerebral areas showed the effect of the acupuncture on cerebral blood flow. The effects of traditional and burning acupunctures on cerebral blood flow were similar in right Hap-Kok (L14) acupoints. But the effects of traditional acupunctures on cerebral blood flow are stronger than those of burning acupunctures on cerebral blood flow.
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