Effects of Acupuncture on Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults

Participants will undergo 3 x 30 minute acupuncture session per week for 2 weeks (6 session in total). Manual acupuncture will be administered by a same qualified acupuncturist throughout the study on four chosen acupoints (ST36 (Zusanli), HT7 (Shenmen), GV20 (Baihui) and CV12 (Zhongwang)). All participants will be treated with disposable sterile stainless steel needles (size 40mm×0.30mm for ST36 (Zusanli) and 25mm×0.30mm for all other points). Each treatment will run for approximately 30 minutes. The needles will be inserted perpendicular to the skin surface and inserted to a depth of up to 2cm depending on the acupoint. These needles will be rotated backwards and forwards with an even motion at a rate of 60hz with an amplitude of 180 degree. Manipulation on each acupoint will be done immediately after needle insertion, at 15 minutes and immediately prior to removal of the needles. Stimulation on each point will last for 30 seconds. The different ‘deqi’ or acupuncture sensations experienced by the subject during needle manipulation including aching, soreness, numbness, and distension will be scored by the participant on a scale of 0–5 after every procedure. It was the acupuncturist’s aim to generate ‘deqi’ or acupuncture sensations without provoking undue discomfort or sharp pain [Hui et al., 2000, 2005].