A novel approach to the application of electroacupuncture in awake rats.

Abstract

The primary focus of many animal studies of electroacupuncture (EA) is on the overall effects of the treatment, without due consideration of the impact of how the needles are applied in animal models. Most experimental studies of EA use anaesthesia before needle insertion and electrical stimulation, or alternatively use restraining devices while the animals remain awake, either of which may confound the effects of the needling per se. In a recent study, Wang et al 1 reported that rats remained in a polyethylene cylinder during the application of EA, without the need for either restraints or anaesthesia. Based on this observation, and given the potential difficulties that may be encountered during the application of EA, we set out to create a novel bottle-based device to help facilitate administration of EA without the use of anaesthesia or restraints. A customised bottle device was fashioned out of a wooden board and six 500 mL polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles. The necks of the bottles were cut off, fixed to the wooden surface, and used as burrows (figure 1). The cut edge of each bottleneck was covered with electrical tape to avoid any injury. Using this device it was possible to stimulate up to six conscious animals simultaneously without anaesthesia or restraints, thus …