Analgesic Effects Evoked by Real and Imagined Acupuncture: A Neuroimaging Study.

ABSTRACT: Acupuncture can provide therapeutic analgesic benefits but is limited by its cost and scheduling difficulties. Guided imagery is a commonly used method for treating many disorders, such as chronic pain. The present study examined a novel intervention for pain relief that integrates acupuncture with imagery called video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT). A total of 27 healthy subjects were recruited for a crossover-design study that included 5 sessions administered in a randomized order (i.e., baseline and 4 different interventions). We investigated changes in pain threshold and fMRI signals modulated by: 1) VGAIT, watching a video of acupuncture previously administered on the participant's own body at baseline while imagining it being concurrently applied; 2) a VGAIT control con

SUBMITTER: Cao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7302519 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature