Acupuncture navigation method integrated with augmented reality.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture and moxibustion are effective in alleviating symptoms, but the large number of acupoints can make accurate needle placement and training difficult. OBJECTIVE: To address these challenges, this study aims to develop an augmented reality (AR) acupuncture navigation system designed to improve the accuracy and intuitiveness of acupoint localization. METHODS: The proposed system employs a six-point registration and positioning technique, enabling the AR navigation model to adapt to the specific characteristics of each patient. RESULTS: In testing, discrepancies between virtual and actual acupuncture points ranged from 0.6 mm to 3.9 mm, which is within the acceptable tolerance range for acupuncture. CONCLUSION: This AR-based system shows promise in enhancing the precision of acupuncture point localization, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.