Comparison of metabolic connectivity among four groups at 12th week (i.e., 11 weeks of EA/sham EA intervention) after BPAI. (A,E) Significantly increased metabolic connectivity was observed among the bilateral DLT, bilateral motor cortex, bilateral caudate putamen, and right somatosensory cortices in the EA group compared with the sham EA group. (B,F) Significantly decreased metabolic connectivity was observed among the right DLT, right motor cortex, and left caudate putamen in the EA group compared with the model group. (C,G) Significantly increased metabolic connectivity between the left DLT and bilateral somatosensory cortices, as well as decreased metabolic connectivity between left motor cortex and right somatosensory cortex were observed in the sham EA group compared with the model group. (D,H) Changes of metabolic connectivity in the whole brain after BPAI (*P < 0.05; #P < 0.001). Red line, increased metabolic connectivity; gray line, decreased metabolic connectivity. BPAI, brachial plexus avulsion injury; EA, electroacupuncture; SC. somatosensory cortex; DLT, dorsolateral thalamus; MC, motor cortex; CPu, caudate putamen.