Begin by arranging the sterile surgical instruments, including a number six disposable thread-embedding needle and a 5-0 absorbable suture on the surgical platform. Using ophthalmic scissors, cut the surgical suture into 0.5 and 0.2 centimeter pieces. Soak the cut thread pieces in 0.9%saline.
Locate the acupoint Baihui GV 20 in an anesthetized rat at the right midpoint of the parietal bone and mark it using a marker. Shave the head area around the acupoint with a trimmer. Prior to surgery, apply 0.5%iodine solution in circular motions to disinfect the acupoints and surrounding skin.
Then disinfect the area three times with iodophor, each followed by an application of alcohol. Use forceps to clamp out the 0.2 centimeter absorbable surgical suture soaked in saline, and place it in the front end of the needle tube. Then connect the suture to the needle core.
Pinch the area around Baihui GV 20 with the thumb and index finger of one hand. Holding the needle with the other hand, insert it horizontally and quickly at a 15-degree angle to the skin surface, and 0.1 centimeters below the point. Once the needle tip reaches 0.1 centimeters above the Baihui GV 20 point, push the needle core while retracting the needle tube to implant the suture into the subcutaneous tissue of the acupoint.
Slowly remove the needle, ensuring no suture is exposed. Press the needle hole with sterile dry cotton for 10 seconds to prevent bleeding. Locate the sixth lumbar vertebra based on the hip tubercle of the rat, then count four vertebral bodies upward to locate the second lumbar vertebra.
Using a marker, mark the Shenshu BL 23 5 millimeters lateral to the second vertebra. Shave the back and waist area around the acupoint with a trimmer. Apply 0.5%iodine solution in a circular motion to disinfect the acupoints and surrounding skin.
Clamp out the 0.5 centimeter absorbable surgical suture soaked in saline with forceps and connect it to the needle core. Stretch the skin with the index and middle fingers of the pressing hand, or the thumb and index fingers. Holding the needle with the other hand, quickly insert it perpendicularly into the point 0.25 centimeter below the Shenshu BL 23 point.
Once the needle tip reaches 0.5 centimeters under the skin, adjust the tip to make the direction of insertion centripetal, forming a 45-degree angle with the skin surface, and obliquely insert 0.5 centimeters. Push the needle core while retracting the tube to implant the 0.5 centimeter suture into the muscle tissue of the acupoint. Slowly remove the needle, ensuring no suture is exposed.
Then press the needle hole with sterile dry cotton for 10 seconds to prevent bleeding. The analysis of swimming speed showed no significant difference among the groups, indicating consistent baseline levels of movement, speed, and visual perception. Post five-day platform search training, movement trajectories, and escape latency analysis revealed that the thread-embedding therapy group significantly improved in spatial reference memory compared to the control and model groups.
Probe trials showed that the control group used linear and directional strategies, suggesting strong memory. The model group's edge-based strategy indicated a significant decline in memory, while the thread-embedding therapy group's trend-based strategy showed memory improvement. The duration of stay and the number of platform crossings revealed that the thread-embedding therapy groups significantly outperformed the model group, indicating enhanced spatial learning and memory.
