An Exploratory Survey ofDeqiSensation from the Views and Experiences of Chinese Patients and Acupuncturists

Abstract

Deqi sensation is believed to be important in clinical efficacy according to TCM theory. The measuring method of Deqi sensation has significant implications for the result of research trials. This study makes an investigation on acupuncture-experienced patients and expert acupuncturists in China and aims to find out the patient's needling sensations and acupuncturist's sensations which can be acceptable as descriptors of Deqi sensation, so as to provide foundation for more systematic and sensitive quantitative evaluation method of Deqi sensation. Results of this survey indicated that the Deqi sensation noted by both patient and acupuncturist is equally important to the treatment efficacy. It is found that there are some differences between the patients' real-life experience and the acupuncturists' expectations on patients' Deqi sensation. The “dull pain,” “aching,” “sore,” “numb,” “distended,” “heavy,” “electric,” “throbbing,” “warmness,” “coolness,” “spreading,” and “radiating” can be considered as the main manifestations of Deqi sensations. The acupuncturists believed that Deqi sensations were mainly “pulling,” “tight,” and “throbbing.” We suggest developing a questionnaire measuring the Deqi sensations which includes both the sensations of the patient and acupuncturist, and this would be very important and necessary for a better understanding of the relationship between Deqi sensation and acupuncture effects in future studies.

Effects of auricular acupuncture on chronic pain in people with back musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized clinical trial

“…The application of a local intervention, such as systemic acupuncture, may also be effective to reduce the sensitization of peripheral nociceptors in chronic pain. In this type of procedure, the insertion and handling of needles cause a sensation called De Qi (numbness, distension, electricity, heat, cold, weight, irradiation) (29) , which leads to a greater participation of low-conduction Aδ and C fibers, simultaneously to the quick conduction of Aβ fibers (30)(31) . A positive correlation has been reported among the numbness sensation, the pain triggered by the De Qi, propagated by these nociceptive fibers, and the efficacy of acupuncture-induced analgesia (32) .…”

Acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis with sensitive points: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

“…The insertion will be followed by stimulation performed with lifting and thrusting combined with twirling and rotating the needles sheath in order to produce the sensation known as achieve ‘Deqi’ (refers to a sensation of soreness, numbness, distention or radiating considered to be indicative of effective needling). 35 The needles placed in the acupoints will be manually stimulated every 15 min and removed after 30 min. Participants receive three treatment sessions per week (every other day) for four consecutive weeks.…”

A Survey of the Practice and Perspectives of Chinese Acupuncturists onDeqi

“…According to the latest literature [ 12 ], 90% acupuncturists thought Deqi was related to clinical efficacy. Based on assumption that it reached 96% in this study, a sample size of 200 at least is needed to achieve 90% power to detect a statistical significance by using a two-sided binomial test.…”