Physiological Changes Associated with de qi during electroacupuncture to LI4 and LI11: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Background Studies on the relationship between de qi intensity and activity changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are scarce. This study investigates the physiological responses associated with de qi. The relationship between de qi intensity and such responses was determined. Method This was a single-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 36 subjects (19 men, 17 women), aged 34.5±4.6 years, were randomly assigned to group 1 (electroacupuncture at 2 Hz, 0.4 ms to right LI4 and LI11 for 30 min), group 2 (electroacupuncture stimulation to bilateral patellae) or group 3 (sham electroacupuncture to right LI4 and LI11 but over Duoderm pads). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and HR variability by low/high frequency (LF/HF) were recorded 5 min before, during and 5 min after the intervention. Needle sensations were quantified by the Modified Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale – Chinese version (C-MMASS) and the C-MMASS index was computed. Results A significant increase in LF/HF, MAP and HR was observed in group 1. A small and significant increase in LF/HF was observed in group 2 but the changes in MAP and HR in groups 2 and 3 were not significant. The C-MMASS index was highest in group 1 (5.3±1.3), moderate in group 2 (3.5±0.7) and lowest in group 3 (0.77±0.2). A positive correlation between de qi intensity and changes in LF/HF, MAP and HR was observed. Conclusions This study suggests that de qi is associated with physiological changes, and that de qi intensity increases with an increase in sympathetic discharge of the ANS.

Sham Electroacupuncture Methods in Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Among them, 5 studies29549095107 were published between 1992 and 1999; 33 studies22242527303138454752535657586768717273747778818384929397104105106110111 were published between 2000 and 2010; the remaining 56 studies1819202123262832333435363739404142434446484950515559606162636465666970757679808285868788899194969899100101102103108109 were reported from 2010 to 2015 (Fig. 2).…”

“…EA treatment alone was adopted in 55 trials1920212223242526282930313435363738394243535558606166686971727577787980838485868788899091959899100101103104107108110111, while the interventions of the remaining 39 trials were a combination of EA and western conventional medicine (WCM). Four trials244754100 were designed as two groups of EA, and seven trials384361639899101 were conducted with two groups of sham EA.…”

“…Four trials244754100 were designed as two groups of EA, and seven trials384361639899101 were conducted with two groups of sham EA. Compared with sham EA group, real EA group in 83 studies selected the same number of acupoints; nine studies2546668990105106108111 used more number of acupoints; one study20 used less number of acupoints; one study52 did not report the number of acupoints.…”

“…Eight studies26495476959697110 identified acupoints by using a point detector. The “ deqi ” sensation was required in 65 real EA groups181920212223242526293031333435363940414344474850515657585960616263646667697175777879808182838586879091939899100101102104105106109111 and 3 sham EA groups selected nonspecific acupoints6178101. Eight studies utilized pricking sensation to mimic needle sensation and blind participants in control group2021235260636781.…”

To be or not to Be: The Needling Sensation (de qi) in acupuncture

“…NEEDLING SENSATION AND AUTONOMIC TONE Also in this issue, David Yu and coworkers 13 report on the relationship between de qi intensity and mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability in healthy volunteers. The 36 volunteers were randomised to one of three groups;…”