Applications of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in non-drug therapy of traditional Chinese medicine: a review

Abstract

Non-drug therapies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, massage, tai chi chuan, and Baduanjin, have emerged as widespread interventions for the treatment of various diseases in clinical practice. In recent years, preliminary studies on the mechanisms of non-drug therapies of TCM have been mostly based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology. FNIRS is an innovative, non-invasive tool to monitor hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. Our review included clinical research conducted over the last 10 years, establishing fNIRS as a reliable and stable neuroimaging technique. This review explores new applications of this technology in the field of neuroscience. First, we summarize the working principles of fNIRS. We then present preventive research on the use of fNIRS in healthy individuals and therapeutic research on patients undergoing non-drug therapies of TCM. Finally, we emphasize the potential for encouraging future advancements in fNIRS studies to establish a theoretical framework for research in related fields.

Global trends and performances of infrared imaging technology studies on acupuncture: a bibliometric analysis

“…In recent decades, infrared imaging technology has been used more and more in the field of acupuncture (Hillen et al, 2020;Fu et al, 2024). The existing infrared imaging technologies for acupuncture can be mainly divided into two methods: near infrared spectroscopy and dynamic infrared thermography.…”

Effects of buccal acupuncture on postoperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy: a randomized controlled trial

“…Perioperative acupuncture was reported to achieve the postoperative analgesic effect with less consumptions of analgesic drugs, by blocking harmful stimuli, reducing peripheral and central sensitization and inhibiting neuroplasticity ( 15 ). Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique with the recognized function in relieving pain ( 16 , 17 ). The TCM theory believes that a congenital holographic system on the cheek is a continuous projection of the human body ( Figure 1A ) ( 18 ).…”