Electroencephalogram Characteristics Induced by Different Magnetic Stimulation Modes of Acupuncture Point

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) makes use of electromagnetic induction principle to induce electrical fields in the neuronal tissues and has an effect on neuromodulation. Theta burst stimulation (TBS) as a novel pattern of TMS has been shown to have advantages over conventional repetitive TMS (crTMS) in modulating brain cortical excitability. However, to date little is known about the potential of TBS of acupuncture point (acupoint) in modifying the brain activity. An acupoint is a specific point in the human body with nerve trunk and nerve ending through it, which is sensitive to various stimuli. In this paper, different-mode magnetic stimulations including crTMS, continuous TBS (cTBS), intermittent TBS (iTBS), and corresponding Sham iTBS were used to stimulate the Neiguan acupoint (PC6). Electroencephalogram characteristics induced by different-mode magnetic stimulations were compared to investigate whether the mode of magnetic stimulation of acupoint would impact stimulation effects. The results showed that iTBS of acupoint could induce a remarkable evoked potential of P80 component, activate more brain functional areas compared to crTMS, cTBS, and Sham stimulation, which suggested that iTBS of acupoint could induce a powerful brain response and produce a plastic reorganization of the cortical network. This paper proved that iTBS of acupoint with lower stimulation intensity and fewer stimulation pulses may be one more effective stimulation mode than crTMS, which may be clinically useful.