Low-Frequency Magnetic Stimulation of Shenmen Acupoint Reduces Blood Oxygen Levels in the Prefrontal Cortex of Healthy Subjects: A Near-Infrared Brain Functional Imaging Study

Objective To explore the effect of low-frequency magnetic stimulation at Shenmen (HT 7) acupoint on blood oxygen levels in the prefrontal cortex of healthy subjects. Methods Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology was used to collect real-time data of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the prefrontal cortex of 16 healthy subjects at resting state and low-frequency magnetic stimulation of Shenmen. The mean and integral values of blood oxygen concentration were analyzed. Results Compared with the resting state, the mean and integral values of blood oxygen concentration were decreased during the task period, recovery period, and the whole process in the magnetic stimulation of Shenmen acupoint (P<0.05). In particular, the difference was statistically significant in the recovery period (P<0.01). Conclusions The prefrontal cortex was widely activated and produced an immediate effect by reducing the local blood oxygen concentration at low-frequency magnetic stimulation of Shenmen acupoint, which verifies the sedative effect of Shenmen acupoint.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of low-frequency magnetic stimulation at Shenmen (HT 7) acupoint on blood oxygen levels in the prefrontal cortex of healthy subjects using fNIRS technology. The results showed a decrease in blood oxygen concentration during the stimulation period, with significant differences observed in the recovery period.