[Application and research progress of fMRI in acupuncture treatment for ischemic stroke].

Researchers reviewed how functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans help us understand what acupuncture does in the brain after ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, causing damage that can affect movement, thinking, and swallowing. This review examined studies showing how stroke disrupts normal brain activity and structure in multiple regions. The research found that acupuncture appears to help restore normal brain function in several ways. Brain scans showed that acupuncture can rebalance abnormal activity patterns in motor areas and related brain regions. It may help restore coordination between different brain networks that work together, rebuild damaged connections in the brain's white matter (the communication pathways between regions), improve blood flow, and enhance the brain's metabolism. The imaging technology also shows promise for identifying which patients might respond best to acupuncture and for choosing the most effective acupuncture points and treatment approaches. However, most research has focused only on movement problems after stroke, with less attention to other common issues like memory difficulties or swallowing problems. The studies also tend to use limited analysis methods and often lack rigorous comparison groups. Future research needs larger, multi-center trials with proper control groups to provide stronger evidence. Despite current limitations, this review suggests that acupuncture may support stroke recovery by helping the brain reorganize and heal. If you're considering acupuncture for stroke recovery, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in neurological conditions.

This systematic review examines fMRI research on acupuncture's neurological effects in ischemic stroke (IS) patients. Evidence demonstrates that IS causes functional activity dysregulation and microstructural damage across multiple brain regions. Acupuncture exerts bidirectional modulation of motor and related brain activities, ameliorating abnormal functional patterns, restoring functional network coordination and balance, facilitating white matter microstructural remodeling, and enhancing neural pathway connectivity. Additionally, acupuncture positively influences cerebral blood flow and metabolic status. fMRI shows potential value for identifying treatment responders, guiding acupoint selection, and optimizing parameters. Methodological limitations include predominant focus on motor dysfunction with insufficient attention to cognitive and swallowing impairments, single analytical approaches, and lack of high-quality RCTs. The authors recommend future large-sample, multicenter, sham-controlled trials integrating multimodal indices and interdisciplinary approaches to deepen mechanistic understanding across different symptoms and patient subgroups, providing robust evidence for clinical standardization of acupuncture in IS treatment.