Study maps the effects of acupuncture on the brain (2/9/2010)
Important new research about the effects of acupuncture on the brain may provide an understanding of the complex mechanisms of acupuncture and could lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment.
The study, by researchers at the University of York and the Hull York Medical School published in Brain Research, indicates that acupuncture has a significant effect on specific neural structures. When a patient receives acupuncture treatment, a sensation called deqi can be obtained; scientific analysis shows that this deactivates areas within the brain that are associated with the processing of pain.
Dr Hugh MacPherson, of the Complementary Medicine Research Group in the University's Department of Health Sciences, says: "These results provide objective scientific evidence that acupuncture has specific effects within the brain which hopefully will lead to a better understanding of how acupuncture works."
Neuroscientist Dr Aziz Asghar, of the York Neuroimaging Centre and the Hull York Medical School, adds: "The results are fascinating. Whether such brain deactivations constitute a mechanism which underlies or contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is an intriguing possibility which requires further research."
Last summer, following research conducted in York, acupuncture was recommended for the first time by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a treatment option for NHS patients with lower back pain. NICE guidelines now state that GPs should 'consider offering a course of acupuncture comprising a maximum of 10 sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks' for patients with this common condition.
Current clinical trials at the University of York are investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and for depression. Recent studies in the US have also shown that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for migraines and osteoarthritis of the knee.
The York team believe that the new research could help to clear the way for acupuncture to be more broadly accepted as a treatment option on the NHS for a number of medical conditions.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by the University of York
Comments:
| 1. |
G Haley |
2/9/2010 3:11:21 PM MST |
"scientific analysis shows..."
What does this even mean? If you're going to write an article about something of which many are skeptical, it would be useful to at least say how the research was conducted. It appears that neuroimaging may have been involved, but that isn't specifically stated. Other articles have been published here that do go into detail about the research methods used. Because that isn't done here I have to question whether this is yet another bad research project where the goal is just to "lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment" rather than determine the actual effectiveness of the treatment.
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| 2. |
Jay |
2/9/2010 6:53:53 PM MST |
Although I agree that this news release should have at least indicated a future publication of the results, skepticism can go too far. I'm also skeptical of the effectiveness with IBS or depression or cancer. But there's no doubt that it works on at least some forms of pain.
Skepticism can be healthy or downright unhealthy. The placebo effect unquestionably exists. But since it's just sugar, should we ignore the potential? It might be the difference between life and death for some.
Consider the way drug trials are conducted. If I developed a miracle drug that cured all diseases and restored youth - but only in 1 out of 100 people, I could never get it past level 2 trials.
Skepticism can sometimes cause one to make false assumptions such as assuming that since it does not work on enough people, it does not work at all.
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| 3. |
Remi |
2/18/2010 5:52:22 AM MST |
It would be nice if authors would leave a full reference so those interested could track down the original article. |
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