Brain network analysis of components of acupuncture treatment: a pilot study

INTERVENTION: Others(Cognitive component of acupuncture) : The intervention in this study is the variation in the magnitude of cognitive components of acupuncture, which is manipulated by altering the expected intensity of stimulation. Based on this expectation, three conditions are defined: a condition in which participants expect strong stimulation, a condition in which participants expect moderate stimulation, and a condition in which participants expect weak stimulation. Participants are trained to use visual cues to anticipate the intensity of the upcoming stimulation. Using a within‐subject design, all participants experience all three intervention conditions. The actual sensory component of acupuncture is controlled across all conditions: needles are inserted to a depth of 2 cm, followed by manual rotation (twirling) at a moderate intensity (1 Hz frequency, 90° rotation angle) in an identical manner for all conditions. CONDITION: Not Applicable PRIMARY OUTCOME: Brain Blood Oxygen Level‐Dependent signal SECONDARY OUTCOME: Acupuncture sensation Pressure pain threshold muscle property INCLUSION CRITERIA: Healthy men and women (Age 19 39)