None listed
Conditions
Interventions
Procedure/Surgery : MRI Scan and Acupuncture Protocol
a. Equipment
• MRI: Philips Achieva 3.0T TX (3.0T human MRI system).
• Acupuncture needle: DongBang Acupuncture Inc., non-magnetic, disposable,
Sponsors
Wonkwang University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: • At screening, participants must meet the following blood pressure criteria in the reference arm: • Without antihypertensive medication: mean sitting systolic blood pressure = 140 mmHg and < 180 mmHg • With antihypertensive medication: mean sitting systolic blood pressure = 130 mmHg and < 180 mmHg • Age = 18 years and < 75 years • No history of major neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis, aphasia) or major psychiatric illness • Right-handed
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: • History of secondary hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension • Fear of noise, cold environments, or claustrophobia • Recurrent cough or uncontrolled tremor • Inability to remain supine and still for approximately one hour • Cognitive impairment due to underlying disease such as dementia, making cooperation difficult • Contraindications to MRI scanning • Acupuncture treatment within the past 3 months from the screening date • Needle phobia • History of syncope • Skin disease, infection, or injury at the selected acupuncture site • History of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or transient ischemic attack • History of structural heart disease (e.g., valvular heart disease) • History of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness > 2 minutes • History of significant liver, kidney, or thyroid disease • History of primary aldosteronism, Cushing’s syndrome, or thyroid dysfunction • History of neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease) • History of major psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, psychosis) • History of hemophilia or coagulation disorders • History of neurological disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, diabetes with neuropathy) • History of severe alcohol or drug abuse • Current use of antidepressants, opioids, or anticholinergic medications • Current use of steroids, oral contraceptives, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| functional brain connectivity;Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of the brain | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Correlation between heart rate variability indices and fMRI findings;Correlation between electrocardiographic indices and fMRI findings | — |
Countries
Korea, Republic of
Contacts
Public ContactDasol Park
Wonkwang University
Outcome results
None listed