Original article
Modulation of the Sleep State–Dependent P50 Midlatency Auditory-Evoked Potential by Electric Stimulation of Acupuncture Points

Preliminary data presented as an abstract to the Association of Professional Sleep Societies, June 9, 2003, Seattle, WA.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2004.11.047Get rights and content

Abstract

Bray PA, Mamiya N, Fann AV, Gellman H, Skinner RD, Garcia-Rill EE. Modulation of the sleep state–dependent P50 midlatency auditory-evoked potential by electric stimulation of acupuncture points.

Objective

To determine if the P50 midlatency auditory evoked potential, a sleep state–dependent waveform thought to be generated by the reticular activating system, is modulated after surface stimulation of acupuncture points (ie, electroacupuncture).

Design

P50 potential recordings were carried out before, during, and after electroacupuncture.

Setting

A clinical research center.

Participants

Eighty healthy subjects ages 25 to 55 were recorded in 7 investigations.

Interventions

Stimulation of 3 specific acupuncture points (Pericardium 6, Heart 3, Liver 3) was compared with no stimulation or with stimulation of control points (Gall Bladder 34, Large Intestine 11, Small Intestine 3). We compared different frequencies of stimulation (5, 60, 100Hz), unilateral versus bilateral stimulation, and the effects of repeated episodes of stimulation.

Main Outcome Measures

P50 auditory evoked potential latency, amplitude (measure of level of arousal), and habituation (measure of sensory gait) at interstimulus interval of 250ms.

Results

Electroacupuncture at specific points decreased P50 potential amplitude versus electroacupuncture at control points (P=.006) or versus no stimulation (P<.001). The optimal effective frequency was 5Hz (P<.05 at 5Hz, P>.05 at 60 and 100Hz), and unilateral electroacupuncture was not as effective as bilateral electroacupuncture (P=.007). Repeated episodes of bilateral electroacupuncture showed additive effects (P<.05). There were no differences in responsiveness across sexes (P=.79), and electroacupuncture did not affect P50 potential habituation (P>.05).

Conclusions

Electroacupuncture may be effectively used to decrease arousal levels, perhaps as adjunct therapy for disorders of hypervigilance.

Section snippets

Participants

Subjects were recruited from the community and campus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. A total of 80 subjects participated in 1 or more of 7 studies. Inclusion criteria included (1) no history of neurologic or psychiatric disorder, (2) ages between 25 and 55, and (3) ability to give informed consent. Exclusion criteria included (1) shift workers and others with disrupted circadian rhythms, (2) recent consumption of antihistamines and other medicines or foods or beverages that

Results

Because of the large number of investigations, some subjects dropped out before all were completed and new ones were recruited to replace them. See table 1 for demographics of the investigations. Three P50 potential averages were recorded at the beginning, middle, and end of the 20-minute stimulation period (S1, S2, S3) and 4 after stimulation (P1, P2, P3, P4). For all investigations, the P50 potential amplitude for each subject was normalized, that is, the subject’s baseline reading was set at

Discussion

The results of our investigations suggest that surface stimulation of specific acupuncture points modulates the manifestation of the sleep state–dependent P50 potential, as long as certain parameters of stimulation are used. Before considering the details of the findings observed, several basic issues need to be addressed to appreciate the implications and limitations of the results.

Conclusions

None of the protocols used produced a significant change in P50 potential habituation, suggesting that it was the generation of the response to the first stimulus that was affected, rather than the local and descending modulation of the response to the second stimulus. By local and descending, we mean that the response elicited by the first stimulus is thought to generate local (within the RAS) inhibition, as well as descending from higher structures after they are activated by the ascending

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  • Cited by (3)

    Supported by U.S. Public Health Service (grant no. AT00337) and General Clinical Research Center (award no. RR14288).

    No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

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