Table 1 Acupoints selected in the study

Shenting (GV 24)

On the head, 0.5 B-cun superior to the anterior hairline, on the anterior median line.

Yintang (EX-HN 3)

At the midpoint of the line joining the medial ends of both eyebrows

Baihui (GV 20)

On the head, 5 B-cun superior to the anterior hairline, on the anterior median line.

Sishencong (EX-HN1)

On the top of the head, 1cun before and after GV20 on both sides with a total of 4 points

Wangu (GB12)

In the anterior region of the neck, in the depression posteroinferior to the mastoid process.

Zhaohai (KI6)

On the medial aspect of the foot, 1 B-cun inferior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, in the depression inferior to the medial malleolus.

Xuanzhong (GB39)

On the fibular aspect of the leg, anterior to the fibula, 3 B-cun proximal to the prominence of the lateral malleolus.

Shenmen (HT7)

On the anteromedial aspect of the wrist, radial to the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, on the palmar wrist crease.

Neiguan (PC6)

On the anterior aspect of the forearm, between the tendons of the palmaris longus and the flexor carpi radialis, 2 B-cun proximal to the palmar wrist crease.

Taixi (KI3)

On the posteromedial aspect of the ankle, in the depression between the prominence of the medial malleolus and the calcaneal tendon.

Shenshu (BL23)

In the lumbar region, at the same level as the inferior border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), 1.5 B-cun lateral to the posterior median line.