Characterization of de qi with electroacupuncture at acupoints with different properties

Kehua Zhou, Jiliang Fang, Xiaoling Wang, Yin Wang, Yang Hong, Jun Liu, Lei Wang, Chao Xue, Ping Wang, Baoyan Liu, Bing Zhu, Kehua Zhou, Jiliang Fang, Xiaoling Wang, Yin Wang, Yang Hong, Jun Liu, Lei Wang, Chao Xue, Ping Wang, Baoyan Liu, Bing Zhu

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to explore the characteristics of de qi using electroacupuncture at acupoints with different properties in the meridian category, histological type, and nerve innervations.

Methods: Electroacupuncture was performed on 21 healthy volunteers at paired acupoints of ST36-GB34, CV4-CV12, ST36-ST28, PC6-PC7, and ST36-CV4. Upon acupuncture de qi, the intensities and the prevalence of individual sensations, sensation transmission, and the amplitude of electrical current were recorded. Chi-square, Fischer's exact test, Wilcoxon test, and two-sample paired t test were used to compare the components of de qi within each paired group.

Results: Overall intensities and prevalence of individual sensations are fullness, numbness, soreness, tingling, heaviness, pressure, dull pain, warmness, and coolness in decreasing order. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of needling sensations between the two paired points (p>0.05). However, significant intensity differences (p<0.05) were showed in soreness, fullness, and heaviness between ST36-ST28, in fullness and numbness between ST36-CV4, and in fullness between CV4-CV12. Tingling sensation was stronger than heaviness and pressure at acupoints PC6-PC7 and ST36 (as paired with CV4). Sharp pain occurred in 10/216 tests (4.63%). Sensation transmission occurred highly (77.78%) on participants, and sensations mostly propagate over one joint but no further than two joints. Overall electrical current was 2.35±0.07 mA (mean±standard error). No significant difference was found between paired acupoints for the distance of sensation transmission and the amplitude of electrical current.

Conclusions: Fullness, numbness, and soreness were the most common and obvious sensations associated with electroacupuncture. The difference of sensation intensities may be associated with different nerve innervations.

© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Needle was inserted in the acupoint before the functional magnetic resonance imaging scan started. R1, R2, R3 indicated no electric current was delivered; S1, S2, S3 indicated electric current on.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Intensity of various needling sensations in de qi. 0 indicates no feeling, and 10 indicates unbearable sensation.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Prevalence of various needling sensations in de qi. 100% indicates that the individual sensation occurs in all acupuncture procedures and in all subjects.
FIG. 4.
FIG. 4.
The bars indicate that among these 17 volunteers, the number of volunteers experienced the corresponding individual sensation in the study. Numbers in left axis represent numbers of volunteers.
FIG. 5.
FIG. 5.
Intensity of individual sensation in paired acupoints CV12 versus CV4. Paired t test was used, and statistical difference was set at p<0.05 (*indicates significant difference).
FIG. 6.
FIG. 6.
Intensity of individual sensation in paired acupoints ST36 versus CV4. Paired t test was used, and statistical difference was set at p<0.05 (*indicates significant difference).
FIG. 7.
FIG. 7.
Intensity of individual sensation in paired acupoints ST36 versus ST28. Paired t test was used, and statistical difference was set at p<0.05 (*indicates significant difference).

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