[Framework to quantify the needling sensation and effect of acupuncture]

Area of Science:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Acupuncture Research
• Quantitative Sensory Analysis

Context:

• Current quantitative methods for evaluating acupuncture sensations are insufficient.
• This limitation hinders research into the acupuncture quantity-effectiveness relationship.
• Existing clinical experience and prior quantitative studies provide a foundation.

Purpose:

• To develop a more effective quantitative description of needling sensations.
• To create a questionnaire assessing the quantity-effectiveness relationship in acupuncture.
• To establish standardized tools for acupuncture research and practice.

Summary:

• Introduces the quantitative description rules of needling sensation (M-QNS).
• Presents the questionnaire of quantity-effectiveness relation of acupuncture (F-QNS-E).
• Both M-QNS and F-QNS-E are designed based on previous research and clinical experience.

Impact:

• The M-QNS and F-QNS-E offer improved methods for evaluating acupuncture.
• These tools can be utilized in randomized controlled trials.
• The methods are applicable to the clinical practice of acupuncture, enhancing evidence-based practice.