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Related Experiment Videos

Does Deqi (needle sensation) exist?

Hijoon Park1, Jongbae Park, Hyangsook Lee

  • 1Department of Acupuncture and Meridianology, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
|June 18, 2002
PubMed
Summary
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Acupuncture sensations in naive Korean subjects differ from expectations, with experienced aching and throbbing sensations not predicted. Understanding these differences is key for developing effective sham acupuncture methods.

Area of Science:

  • Integrative and Complementary Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Acupuncture Research

Background:

  • The precise mechanisms of acupuncture remain unclear, leading to a lack of consensus on needling sensations.
  • Objectifying acupuncture needling sensations is crucial for advancing scientific understanding.
  • The concept of Deqi, representing key acupuncture stimulation phenomena, is traditionally based on translated Chinese descriptions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate expected versus experienced acupuncture sensations in naive Korean subjects.
  • To explore potential differences between anticipated and actual needling feelings.
  • To inform the development of sham (placebo) acupuncture methods for subject blinding.

Main Methods:

  • Translated the Acupuncture Sensation Scale (Vincent et al., 1989) into Korean.

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  • Recruited 38 healthy, acupuncture-naive female volunteers.
  • Administered questionnaires before and after needling the Hegu (LI4) point.

    • Main Results:

    • Subjects expected sensations like hurting, penetrating, sharp, tingling, pricking, and stinging.
    • Experienced sensations included aching, spreading, radiating, pricking, and stinging over 60% of the time.
    • Significant discrepancies were found: expected more penetrating/tingling/pricking/burning, experienced more aching/pulling/heavy/dull/electric/throbbing.

    Conclusions:

    • Acupuncture sensations in this Korean population extend beyond simple pain dimensions.
    • Observed differences between expectation and experience highlight cultural or individual variations.
    • Further research with experienced subjects and diverse cultural groups is needed; sham acupuncture requires investigation.