A FNIRS Study On The Immediate Responding Pattern Of Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex To Acupuncture In Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Objective:This essay aimed to observe and analyze the immediate effect of acupuncture on left DLPFC?dorsolateral prefrontal cortex?of patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Equipped with fNIRS?functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy?,the research compared the immediate difference in concentration changes of HbO₂,Hb and HbT of left DLPFC before and after receiving acupuncture between those with generalized anxiety disorder and healthy controls,aiming to discuss the immediate influence of acupuncture to left DLPFC to under different mental states,and further trying to primarily provide the theoretical basis of acupuncture treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.Method:12 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and 12 age-and gender-matched healthy peers were selected according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria.Both groups received same acupuncture intervention with acupoints Sishencong?EX-HN 1?,Zhongwan?RN 12?,Qihai?RN 6?,Hegu?LI 4?,Taichong?LR 3?,Zusanli?ST 36?,Sanyinjiao?SP 6?,Shenmen?HT 7?.NINScan,the fNIRS device,was equipped to detect the concentration changes of HbO₂,Hb and HbT in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at the same time before and during the acupuncture treatment in a way to observe different responding patterns between those with generalized anxiety disorder and healthy controls.The data was pre-processed by Matlab?R2010b?NINScan program.The raw optical spectrums were produced and saved.The raw optical data was then converted to concentration changes of HbO₂,Hb in Matlab,and HbT was calculated by adding HbO₂ and Hb.Line charts of HbO₂ and Hb were created respectively based on the its concentration changes among two groups.SPSS 19.0was used to complete statistical analysis on three cerebral blood oxygenation parameters.Meanwhile,the correlation between the blood saturation level and HAMA,SAS scores in those with generalized anxiety disorder were analyzed,so as to explore the immediate effect of acupuncture on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of generalized anxiety disorder.Results:1.The comparison of age,gender and scores of HAMA,HAMD,SAS showed that there was no statistical difference in age and gender between two groups?P>0.05?.There was statistically significant difference in scores of HAMA and SAS among two groups?P<0.01?.2.At the rest state before the acupuncture,the concentration changes of HbO₂,Hb,and HbT were relatively stable between the generalized anxiety disorder group and healthy controls,showing no significantly statistical difference?P>0.05?.3.During the acupuncture period,the concentration of HbO₂ increased and Hb decreased significantly in left DLPFC of patients with generalized anxiety disorder.There were significant difference in HbO₂ and Hb before and after acupuncture?P<0.01?,there was no statistically significant change of HbT before and after acupuncture?P>0.05?.In healthy control group,there were no statistical difference of HbO₂,Hb and HbT before and after acupuncture stimulation?P>0.05?.Conclusion:1.Manual acupoint stimulation can activate the left DLPFC of generalized anxiety disorder,with the positive responding pattern characterized by obvious increase in concentration changes of HbO₂ and decrease in Hb,indicating that the malfunction of prefrontal cortex may be closely related to generalized anxiety disorder and acupuncture may relive the symptoms of those with generalized anxiety disorder by activating the function of prefrontal cortex.2.Acupuncture stimulation exerts no obvious effect on the blood oxygenation level of left DLPFC in healthy subjects,indicating that the situation of PFC may be one of the important factors in brain's responding to acupuncture.