Nanostructured acupuncture needles: recent progress in surface engineering and biomedical and electrochemical applications

Modern material science has contributed to recent advancements in acupuncture techniques. Recent advancements in electrochemical anodization and noble metal nanoparticle deposition have transformed conventional stainless-steel acupuncture needles into multifunctional platforms with enhanced physicochemical and electrochemical properties. These modifications have opened new avenues for biomedical applications, especially improving therapeutic efficacy in specific conditions such as chronic pain management, neuropathic pain relief, and alcohol-withdrawal–related symptoms. In particular, nanoporous acupuncture needles exhibit increased surface area and improved tissue interfacing, enabling their use as low-impedance neural electrodes for local field potential (LFP) monitoring and as electrocatalysts in oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions (OER/HER). Impedance spectroscopy revealed lower charge transfer resistance, while linear sweep voltammetry showed enhanced current response, both indicating superior electrochemical performance relative to conventional electrodes. However, the current research is limited by a narrow focus on specific diseases and minimal variation in fabrication protocols. To fully realize their potential, future studies should prioritize the optimization of anodization parameters and explore broader clinical applications and electrochemical utilization. This review highlights the emerging role of nanostructured acupuncture needles as a bridge between traditional therapy and modern engineering, suggesting a path forward toward their integration into precision medicine, bioelectronic systems, and sustainable energy technologies.