Enhancing Acupuncture Treatment Effect Through Non-invasive Neuromodulation

We investigated whether tDCS and acupuncture treatments modulate resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the periaqueductal gray (PAG). This was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-treatment MRI scans. In this report, we focused on the rsFC between the PAG and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC, peak MNI coordinate (2, 38, 12) with a 2-mm radius sphere). Functional connectivity values were computed as Pearson's correlation coefficients between the mean time series of predefined regions of interest (ROIs). To improve normality and enable parametric statistical analysis, these correlation coefficients (r) were converted to Fisher z values using the transformation z = 0.5 × ln\[(1 + r) / (1 - r)\]. Higher Fisher z values indicate stronger positive connectivity, whereas lower values indicate weaker or negative connectivity. Changes in Fisher z values from baseline to post-intervention reflect the degree and direction of connectivity modulation.

Time frame: difference between Day 1 (pre-intervention); post-intervention at Week 4 (pre-intervention - Post-intervention)

Population: Individuals with chronic low back pain

Investigators will examine Cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes before and after treatment in several pain-related brain areas. Cerebral blood flow represents the volume of blood delivered to brain tissue per unit time, CBF data will be collected during arterial spin labeling (ASL) scans that will take place before the first treatment and after the last treatment. Images from these scans will be aggregated to an average CBF-weighted image to be used for analysis. In this report, we focused on bilateral postcentral Gyrus (MNI coordinate: +/-18, -34, 56, 2 mm sphere)

Time frame: Day 1 (pre-intervention); post-intervention at Week 4

Population: chronic low back pain patients

The Low Back Pain Numeric Rating Scale (LBP NRS) is a standardized adaptation of the Pain Numeric Rating Scale for assessing pain intensity specifically related to the lower back. It uses an 11-point scale from 0 (no low back pain) to 10 (worst low back pain imaginable), allowing patients to rate their pain over the past week.

Time frame: Difference between the Day 1 (pre-intervention) and post-intervention at Week 4 (post-intervention - pre-intervention)

Population: individuals with chronic low back pain

We investigated whether tDCS and acupuncture treatments modulate resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the M1. This was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-treatment MRI scans. In this report, we focused on the rsFC between the PAG and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), using a seed defined by the rACC peak MNI coordinate (0, 34, 20) with a 2-mm radius sphere. Functional connectivity values were computed as Pearson's correlation coefficients between the mean time series of predefined regions of interest (ROIs). To improve normality and enable parametric statistical analysis, these correlation coefficients (r) were converted to Fisher z values using the transformation z = 0.5 × ln\[(1 + r) / (1 - r)\]. Higher Fisher z values indicate stronger positive connectivity, whereas lower values indicate weaker or negative connectivity. Changes in Fisher z values from baseline to post-intervention

Time frame: Day 1 (pre-intervention); post-intervention at Week 4 (pre-intervention - post-intervention)

Population: low back pain patients

Participants' quantitative sensory testing (QST) ratings were analyzed before and after all treatments. Here, we report the heat pain threshold measured around the affected lower back area.

Time frame: Day 1 (pre-intervention); post-intervention at Week 4 (pre-intervention - post-intervention)

Population: patients with chronic low back pain