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Electroacupuncture at ear acupoint treating depression: clinical and brain mechanism fMRI research progress

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper mainly provides an overview of the brief history of ear acupoints and introduces the clinical application and brain mechanisms of auricular electroacupuncture therapy for depression. Auricular electroacupuncture is a transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine ear acupoint theories and modern medicine’s vagus nerve theories. It uses microcurrent to stimulate visceral-related acupoints in the concha region and the subcutaneous vagus nerve, producing therapeutic effects on various brain disorders. This article focuses on the evidence-based controlled clinical trials of taVNS for mild-to-moderate depression, as well as recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies that elucidate its complex brain networks.

Source: Guidelines and Standards of Chinese Medicine

DOI: 10.1097/gscm.0000000000000065

Authors: Jiliang Fang, De Fang, Yu Xiong, Qingyan Chen

Institutions: China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang’anmen Hospital, University of California, Davis, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409711019

FWCI: 0.305

Cites: 73

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10