Brain functional basis of the association between positive expectation and acupuncture efficacy in knee osteoarthritis

Key Points

• Acupuncture efficacy is enhanced by positive expectation, indicating a crucial role of brain regions.
• Analysis shows a significant correlation between functional connectivity and treatment outcome in knee osteoarthritis.
• Functional connectivity assessments reveal specific brain regions activated by positive expectations during acupuncture.
• These findings highlight the importance of patient mindset and neural pathways in acupuncture treatment effectiveness.