Description
Objective:
To investigate the influence of laser acupuncture on neuroplasticity, assessed using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Design:
A randomized, controlled trial.
Participants:
Experimental Group: Participants receiving laser acupuncture.
Control Group: Participants undergoing a sham procedure or receiving no treatment.
Sample size determined based on power analysis.
Intervention:
Experimental Group: Laser acupuncture sessions targeting specific acupuncture points.
Control Group: Sham laser acupuncture or no treatment.
TMS Assessments:
Pre- and post-intervention TMS assessments to evaluate neuroplastic changes in cortical excitability.
Measures include Motor Threshold (MT), Cortical Silent Period (CSP), Intracortical Inhibition (SICI), and Intracortical Facilitation (ICF).
Data Analysis:
Comparison of pre-and post-intervention TMS measures between the experimental and control groups.
Statistical analysis using appropriate tests to determine significance.
Ethics:
Approval from the Institutional Review Board and informed consent from all participants.
Expected Outcome:
Insights into the potential of laser acupuncture to induce neuroplastic changes in cortical excitability, as measured by TMS parameters. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of laser acupuncture on the nervous system.
Essential criteria:
Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum
Keywords
Laser acupuncture, transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, Corticospinal excitability, Neuroplasticity, Cortical inhibition, Cortical facilitation
School
School of Primary and Allied Health Care
Available options
PhD/Doctorate
Masters by research
BMedSc(Hons)
Joint PhD/Exchange Program
Time commitment
Full-time
Part-time
Top-up scholarship funding available
No
Physical location
Peninsula campus
Co-supervisors
Assoc Prof
Maryam Zoghi
(External)