Results
KOA knee pain, knee pain
CORTEX
All groups demonstrated improved knee pain scores relative to the initial state. There was no statistical difference between the VA and SA groups in all clinical outcomes, and vlPAG rs‐FC alterations. KOA knee pain individuals reported higher vlPAG rs‐FC in the bilateral thalamus than HCs. KOA knee pain patients in the acupuncture group (verum + sham, AG) exhibited increased vlPAG rs‐FC with the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the right angular, which is associated with knee pain improvement. In contrast with the SC and PB group, the AG exhibited significantly increased vlPAG rs‐FC with the right DLPFC and angular. Contrary to the WT group, the AG showed greater vlPAG rs‐FC with the right DLPFC and precuneus.