Acupuncture for the relief of chronic pain: Regulating negative emotions and reward/motivation circuits based on the theory of “spirit-regulation with acupuncture”☆ 针灸改善慢性疼痛的新视角:“针灸治神”调控负性情绪及奖赏/动机环路

Abstract

Chronic pain is often accompanied by negative emotions, and the progression of negative emotions may further impede pain relief. Both chronic pain and negative emotions are closely associated with reward/motivation circuits. Treatment with acupuncture is effective for the relief of pain and emotional disorders, although the acupoint combinations vary. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship of chronic pain and emotional disorders with the reward/motivation circuits. In association with the theory on “seven emotional factors that cause pain” in traditional Chinese medicine, the potential effect mechanism of “spirit-regulation with acupuncture” for the relief of chronic pain and negative emotions was explored. The findings suggest that chronic pain and its related negative emotions may be effectively relieved with acupuncture after optimizing its acupoint combination based on “spirit-regulation”. However, the role of reward/motivation circuits for negative emotions in the relief of chronic pain with acupuncture needs to be demonstrated.