Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial
AimThis randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture (IDSA) on brain functional connectivity density (FCD) in patients with bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke (BBGIS), focusing on its potential to enhance motor recovery.MethodsSeventy BBGIS patie...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1604342/full |
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| author | Chunxia Zhang Tao Pang Yuan Chen Penghui Lai Rongrong Nie Yulong Wang Shaohua Zhang |
| author_facet | Chunxia Zhang Tao Pang Yuan Chen Penghui Lai Rongrong Nie Yulong Wang Shaohua Zhang |
| author_sort | Chunxia Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | AimThis randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture (IDSA) on brain functional connectivity density (FCD) in patients with bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke (BBGIS), focusing on its potential to enhance motor recovery.MethodsSeventy BBGIS patients (aged 45–75 years, 1–3 months post-stroke, Brunnstrom stage II–V) and 40 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) assessed baseline FCD differences between groups, with regions showing significant alterations correlated to Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores selected as seed points. Patients were randomized to IDSA (n = 35) or Sham IDSA (n = 35) therapy for 4 weeks. IDSA targeted the MS6 acupoint using stainless steel needles (0.3 × 40 mm) rotated at 200 rpm during active limb movement, while Sham IDSA used blunt needles without skin penetration. Post-treatment rs-fMRI and FMA evaluations were conducted.ResultsCompared to HCs, BBGIS patients exhibited reduced FCD in the right supplementary motor area (SMA_R) and right cerebellum-8 (C8_R), which positively correlated with FMA scores (r = 0.82 and r = 0.86, respectively; p < 0.0001). Post-treatment, the IDSA group showed significant increases in FCD in SMA_R (Δ = 0.64 ± 0.22, p < 0.001) and C8_R (Δ = 0.77 ± 0.91, p < 0.05), along with higher FMA scores (53.23 ± 13.6 vs. Sham 44.35 ± 11.2, p < 0.05), indicating improved motor function.ConclusionIDSA therapy enhances functional connectivity in SMA_R and C8_R, which are associated with motor recovery in BBGIS patients. These findings support IDSA as a potential intervention for stroke rehabilitation (Study registration: China National Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200055463). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebdc30862b0a40649bfe14b19c1c39d0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebdc30862b0a40649bfe14b19c1c39d02025-08-20T03:05:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-08-011610.3389/fneur.2025.16043421604342Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trialChunxia Zhang0Tao Pang1Yuan Chen2Penghui Lai3Rongrong Nie4Yulong Wang5Shaohua Zhang6Department of Rehabilitation, Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaRehabilitation Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College, Guilin, Guangxi, ChinaShenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaAimThis randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture (IDSA) on brain functional connectivity density (FCD) in patients with bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke (BBGIS), focusing on its potential to enhance motor recovery.MethodsSeventy BBGIS patients (aged 45–75 years, 1–3 months post-stroke, Brunnstrom stage II–V) and 40 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) assessed baseline FCD differences between groups, with regions showing significant alterations correlated to Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores selected as seed points. Patients were randomized to IDSA (n = 35) or Sham IDSA (n = 35) therapy for 4 weeks. IDSA targeted the MS6 acupoint using stainless steel needles (0.3 × 40 mm) rotated at 200 rpm during active limb movement, while Sham IDSA used blunt needles without skin penetration. Post-treatment rs-fMRI and FMA evaluations were conducted.ResultsCompared to HCs, BBGIS patients exhibited reduced FCD in the right supplementary motor area (SMA_R) and right cerebellum-8 (C8_R), which positively correlated with FMA scores (r = 0.82 and r = 0.86, respectively; p < 0.0001). Post-treatment, the IDSA group showed significant increases in FCD in SMA_R (Δ = 0.64 ± 0.22, p < 0.001) and C8_R (Δ = 0.77 ± 0.91, p < 0.05), along with higher FMA scores (53.23 ± 13.6 vs. Sham 44.35 ± 11.2, p < 0.05), indicating improved motor function.ConclusionIDSA therapy enhances functional connectivity in SMA_R and C8_R, which are associated with motor recovery in BBGIS patients. These findings support IDSA as a potential intervention for stroke rehabilitation (Study registration: China National Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200055463).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1604342/fullbilateral basal ganglia ischemic strokeinteractive dynamic scalp acupuncturefunctional connectivity densityrandomized controlled trialmotor recovery |
| spellingShingle | Chunxia Zhang Tao Pang Yuan Chen Penghui Lai Rongrong Nie Yulong Wang Shaohua Zhang Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial Frontiers in Neurology bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture functional connectivity density randomized controlled trial motor recovery |
| title | Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture enhances brain functional connectivity in bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke patients a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | bilateral basal ganglia ischemic stroke interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture functional connectivity density randomized controlled trial motor recovery |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1604342/full |
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