Abstract
The objective of this research is to investigate the dynamic changes of human brain electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after manual stimulation of the PC 6 (Neiguan) acupuncture site. Six healthy volunteers with no neurological conditions participated in this study. Using the storage of 12-channel EEG recorder and spectral analysis techniques, data of 18 trials were obtained before, during and after acupuncture stimulation. In order to minimize artifacts, all data were collected with the subjects alert but eyes closed. Acupuncture needle was inserted perpendicularly into the PC 6 acupuncture site and manually stimulated about 15 seconds to achieve De Qi sensation. Needles were left in place for 30 min and then removed. This point was chosen because it is associated with circulatory system and has been used in the treatment of coronary heart problem. Analysis of the EEG data from each acupuncture event was compared to the baseline data to show any significant changes over the Delta (0.5-4 Hz), Theta (4-7 Hz), Alpha (7.5-12 Hz), Beta (12-30 Hz) and Gamma (30-100 Hz) frequency bands.Results are fourfold. First, all trials have an increase in the amplitude and power of the alpha band during acupuncture. Secondly, the electric potential of the EEG is higher during and after acupuncture. Thirdly, the frequency peaks in alpha band of all 12-channels are synchronized. Fourthly, all synchronized frequency peaks shift in harmony with the frequency shifts of the heart rate. We hypothesize that these effects will be beneficial for physiological homeostasis. Further studies on the meanings of synchronized brain oscillations and higher electric potentials will be studied in the future.