The effect of acupuncture at the Taiyang acupoint on visual function and EEG microstates in myopia
Su K, Wang L, Wang Z, Ma J, Zhang C, Bi H, Wu J · Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience · 2023 November 15
DOI 10.3389/fnint.2023.1234471
Objective
To investigate the effects of acupuncture at the right Taiyang acupoint on visual function and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in myopic patients.
Conclusions
The contrast sensitivity of myopic patients improved after acupuncture at the Taiyang acupoint, potentially linked to changes in EEG microstate C.
Critical Appraisal
Published research can offer valuable insights, but a paper’s conclusions may go beyond what its results support. Critical appraisal examines the methods, findings and limitations to clarify what can reasonably be concluded—and what remains uncertain.
This article has not yet been critically appraised by the Research Hub.
Learn more about Critical Appraisal
Insights
Acupuncture can enhance visual function in people with myopia via particular changes in brain activity.
In this study, a group of 21 myopic patients received acupuncture at a specific acupoint. To assess the impact of this treatment on their vision, a technique known as contrast sensitivity (CS) was used to analyse vision quality before and after the acupuncture process. At the same time, electroencephalography (EEG) was employed to record changes in brain activity throughout the procedure.
It was observed post-acupuncture that patients' contrast sensitivity was generally better, implying improved visual abilities. Moreover, EEG data divulged certain changes in brain states labelled as 'microstates', particularly a decrease in the contribution of 'microstate C' and a lower transition probability between 'microstate A' and 'microstate C'. Furthermore, analysis showed a negative correlation between the contribution of 'microstate C' and contrast sensitivity. These findings suggest a connection between the enhancement of visual function and specific neurophysiological processes.
