**List of abbreviations**


*Scalp Acupuncture and Mental Disorders DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84683*

*Acupuncture - Resolving Old Controversies and Pointing New Pathways*

acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia in the near future.

**8. Contraindication of scalp acupuncture**

Insomnia and sleep disorders are common mental health problems that have been always overlooked. Poor sleep quality could adversely affect the quality of life and deteriorate mental status. The use of acupuncture and scalp acupuncture may benefit insomnia patients, according to recent systematic review literatures. Since the current results of the clinical studies are promising and consistent, the use of acupuncture may be encouraged as an adjunctive therapy in insomnia [15]. We are expecting more high-quality evidence supporting especially the use of scalp

The contraindications of scalp acupuncture include infants with unclosed cranial fontanelles and sutures. Patients with cranial infection, ulcer, or scars on scalp are not advised to perform scalp acupuncture. Patients with past history of epilepsy or seizure should be comprehensively evaluated by the therapists before receiving treatment. Patients extremely anxious toward needles should be handled with care. Appropriate counseling and encouragement will be useful in building a good rapport between therapist and the parent. Possible side effect of scalp acupuncture includes discomfort or mild pain by the needle, emotional distress during the treatment sessions, bleeding, sleep disturbance, and increased

Scalp acupuncture deserves greater concerns on its application on mental disorders. It has advantages over conventional individualized body acupuncture in clinical practice, and its effect could be objectively observed. Evidence from neuroimaging, biochemical investigations, and clinical trial has been supporting the use of scalp acupuncture on patients with mental disorders. We see great potential in scalp acupuncture to play an important role in alleviating or even preventing mental health problems in the future. Nonetheless, there is an urgent need for quality trials to provide definitive evidence to support the use of scalp acupuncture for various

**7.4 Insomnia**

hyperactivity.

**9. Summary**

mental disorders.

**List of abbreviations**

ET-1 endothelin-1

EEG electroencephalography

MEG magnetoencephalography MRI magnetic resonance imaging

PET positron emission tomography PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder

GABA γ-aminobutyric acid GV governor vessel

NOS nitric oxide synthase

PFC prefrontal cortex

CAM complementary and alternative medicine

fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging

**42**

PSD-95 postsynaptic density-95 protein SPECT single-photon emission computerized tomography TCM traditional Chinese medicine WHO World Health Organization
