Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) leads to impaired mobility and limited independence. Objective We investigated the effects of acupuncture on gait disturbance and analyzed hemodynamic changes caused by acupuncture in the cerebral cortex of patients with PD. Methods Participants (n = 26) with gait disturbance due to PD were randomly assigned to the intervention (acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks + conventional therapy) or control (conventional therapy) groups. We analyzed gait parameters using the GAITRite system and hemodynamic responses in the cerebral cortices using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores, neurotransmitter levels, as well as the immediate effects of acupuncture in patients with PD. Results The participants tended to walk with hypometric gait (high cadence, short steps) overground. After acupuncture treatment, those in the intervention group showed a significant reduction in cadence and the UPDRS scores involving “walking and balance” compared with those in the control group ( P = .004 and P = .020, respectively); the stride, swing, and single support times were significantly increased ( P = .006, P = .001, and P = .001, respectively). Oxyhemoglobin levels in the intervention group while walking on a treadmill were significantly increased in the prefrontal and supplementary motor areas. The oxyhemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex and swing time revealed significant positive correlations. Conclusions Our findings indicated that acupuncture tended to improve hypometric gait and rearranged activation of the cerebral cortex. Thus, acupuncture may be a useful complementary treatment for gait disturbance, including hypometric gait, in patients with PD. Trial Registration Number. Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0002603), https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp

BackgroundCurrently, there is no clearly established therapy to treat mild cognitive impairment (MCI); consequently, alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, have been attempted. In many clinical studies, the potential benefits of acupuncture for cognitive improvement have been identified in clinical outcomes; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture therapy using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and its feasibility in treating individuals with impaired cognitive function.MethodsThis study is designed to be a prospective, two-arm, parallel clinical trial involving 24 participants. The patient group will be treated with acupuncture twice per week for 12 weeks; meanwhile, the healthy control group will not undergo acupuncture treatment. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy assessment and a working memory test will be performed at baseline and every 6 weeks to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture. The primary outcome will be measured using the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The secondary outcomes will be the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale score, working memory task accuracy, response rate, response time, and hemodynamic response of the prefrontal lobe. The outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, and at 6 and 12 weeks after subject allocation.DiscussionThis clinical pilot trial is designed to determine the feasibility of acupuncture as an effective and safe treatment for improving cognitive function in patients with MCI. Results of this study may provide guidance for future larger-scale clinical trials.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea: KCT0002451. Registered September 5, 2017.

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