Clinical Evidence of Brain Effect Difference between True Point and False Point: A Meta-analysis Based FMRI

Imaging studies after acupuncture at acupoints and sham acupoints have shown significant changes in the function of specific parts of the brain, but these findings are not consistent. In this meta-analysis, we examined different studies to determine whether there are differences in brain function changes in the brain imaging findings of acupuncture at real and sham points. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases were used to search for acupuncture brain imaging literatures published by May 2020. Study selection, quality assessment and data extraction were carried out by two independent researchers. The whole brain function data of acupuncture points were analyzed by sdM-PSI. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including 266 subjects enrolled at acupoints including Taichong, Xingjian, Neiting, Guangming, Neiguan, Baihui, Fengchi, Sanyinjiao, Zusanli, Wai Guan, Feng Long, Zhongdu, Xiangu, 214 true acupoints, 186 false acupoints. Our analysis revealed that the brain region positively activated by acupuncture was Right fusiform gyrus, BA 30, Right inferior gyrus, Stationarity BA 48, and Right superior Temporal gyrus, BA 42. These findings suggest that the limbic system is the common difference in brain function after acupuncturing at different true and false acupoints.