Immediate large-scale cortical network changes following acupuncture in patients with disorders of consciousness: a resting-state fNIRS study

Introduction Disorders of consciousness (DOC) involve severe disruption of large-scale brain networks. This study investigated immediate cortical network changes following acupuncture in patients with DOC using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods Thirty patients with DOC underwent resting-state fNIRS recordings immediately before and after a single acupuncture session at Shuigou (GV26), Yintang (EX-HN3), and Baihui (GV20). Oxygenated hemoglobin signals were analyzed using functional connectivity and graph-theoretical metrics. Results Mean positive functional connectivity, global efficiency, and clustering coefficient were significantly higher after acupuncture. Posterior, within-left-hemisphere, and fronto-posterior connectivity also increased significantly. Higher nodal strength was observed in the left Broca area, bilateral primary somatosensory cortex, and right premotor cortex. Individual edge-wise changes were not significant after multiple-comparison correction. Discussion A single acupuncture session was followed by immediate differences in large-scale cortical network organization, characterized by higher global integration and stronger sensorimotor-language and fronto-posterior connectivity. These findings reflect an acute cortical response temporally associated with acupuncture; controlled longitudinal studies are needed to determine acupuncture specificity and clinical relevance.