Effects of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture Stimulation (TEAS) on Eyeblink, EEG, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A Non-Parametric Statistical Study Investigating the Potential of TEAS to Modulate Physiological Markers

TL;DR

This study shows that eyeblink measures, often ignored, can reveal how transcutaneous electroacupuncture affects brain and autonomic activity.

Contribution

The study introduces eyeblink laterality as a novel biomarker for neuromodulation effects of TEAS.

Findings

Eyeblink laterality at specific frequencies (2.5 and 10 pps) showed strong frequency-specific effects.

Blink rate correlated with autonomic activity, with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic responses.

Baseline HRV measures predicted participant dropout, and blink-derived metrics were more predictive of adverse reactions than EEG indices.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
Eyeblink indices are potentially useful biomarkers for the effects of electroacupuncture and other neuromodulatory interventions.Significant autonomic correlates for some eyeblink parameters and EEG measures appear likely.

Eyeblink indices are potentially useful biomarkers for the effects of electroacupuncture and other neuromodulatory interventions.

Significant autonomic correlates for some eyeblink parameters and EEG measures appear likely.

What is the implication of the main finding?
Traditionally viewed artefacts, such as eyeblink measures, may themselves possess diagnostic and research value.Transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation can modulate brain activity and autonomic function in a time- and frequency-dependent manner.

Traditionally viewed artefacts, such as eyeblink measures, may themselves possess diagnostic and research value.

Transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation can modulate brain activity and autonomic function in a time- and frequency-dependent manner.

This study investigates the effects of transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation (TEAS) on eyeblink rate, EEG, and heart rate variability (HRV), emphasising whether eyeblink data—often dismissed as artefacts—can serve as useful physiological markers. Sixty-six participants underwent four TEAS sessions with different stimulation frequencies (2.5, 10, 80, and 160 pps, with 160 pps as a low-amplitude sham). EEG, ECG, PPG, and respiration data were recorded before, during, and after stimulation. Using non-parametric statistical analyses, including Friedman’s test, Wilcoxon, Conover–Iman, and bootstrapping, the study found significant changes across eyeblink, EEG, and HRV measures. Eyeblink laterality, particularly at 2.5 and 10 pps, showed strong frequency-specific effects. EEG power asymmetry and spectral centroids were associated with HRV indices, and 2.5 pps stimulation produced the strongest parasympathetic HRV response. Blink rate correlated with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity. Baseline HRV measures, such as lower heart rate, predicted participant dropout. Eyeblinks were analysed using BLINKER software (v. 1.1.0), and additional complexity and entropy (‘CEPS-BLINKER’) metrics were derived. These measures were more predictive of adverse reactions than EEG-derived indices. Overall, TEAS modulates multiple physiological markers in a frequency-specific manner. Eyeblink characteristics, especially laterality, may offer valuable insights into autonomic function and TEAS efficacy in neuromodulation research.

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