Characterizing heat-sensitization responses in suspended moxibustion with high-density EEG.

Objective: We have reported "heat-sensitization" responses during suspended moxibustion, whose occurrence is associated with significantly better therapeutic effects. The present study aimed to characterize the electrophysiological features of this interesting phenomenon with high-density electroencephalography (EEG).

Methods: We performed EEG recording in a group of patients with chronic low back pain before, during, and after moxibustion treatment at DU3.

Results: 12 out of 25 subjects experienced strong heat-sensitization during moxibustion, which was accompanied by increased power spectral densities (PSDs) at the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. The scalp topographies of averaged power indicated that the theta and beta PSD changes were most obvious in fronto-central regions, whereas those of the alpha band were more global. In addition, nonsensitized and sensitized groups showed distinct activity patterns, with heat-sensitization inducing increased phase coherence at the theta and beta ranges.

Conclusions: These data were the first objective evidence of heat-sensitization responses during suspended moxibustion, which were characterized by widespread oscillatory changes in scalp EEG.