Objectivization study of acupuncture Deqi and brain modulation mechanisms: a review.

Deqi is an important prerequisite for acupuncture to achieve optimal efficacy. Chinese medicine has long been concerned with the relationship between Deqi and the clinical efficacy of acupuncture. However, the underlying mechanisms of Deqi are complex and there is a lack of systematic summaries of objective quantitative studies of Deqi. Acupuncture Deqi can achieve the purpose of treating diseases by regulating the interaction of local and neighboring acupoints, brain centers, and target organs. At local and neighboring acupoints, Deqi can change their tissue structure, temperature, blood perfusion, energy metabolism, and electrophysiological indicators. At the central brain level, Deqi can activate the brain regions of the thalamus, parahippocampal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, insular, middle temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, etc. It also has extensive effects on the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical-network and default mode network. The brain mechanisms of Deqi vary depending on the acupuncture techniques and points chosen. In addition, Deqi 's mechanism of action involves correcting abnormalities in target organs. The mechanisms of acupuncture Deqi are multi-targeted and multi-layered. The biological mechanisms of Deqi are closely related to brain centers. This study will help to explore the mechanism of Deqi from a local-central-target-organ perspective and provide information for future clinical decision-making.

CHEN Rixin's clinical experience of heat-sensitive moxibustion for Wenyang Yangshen in treatment of insomnia of yang deficiency. / 陈日新热敏灸"æ¸©é˜³å »ç¥ž"æ²»ç–—é˜³è™šå¤±çœ ç—‡ä¸´åºŠç»éªŒæ’·è.

The paper introduces CHEN Rixin's experience and ideas of heat-sensitive moxibustion for Wenyang Yangshen (warming-up yang and nourishing the spirit) in treatment of insomnia of yang deficiency. This type of insomnia is caused by yang insufficiency of the body and malnutrition of the spirit. The treatment focuses on Wenyang Yangshen. Replenishing yang (Shenque [CV 8], Qihai [CV 6] and Guanyuan [CV 4]) is combined with promoting yang circulation (Taiyang [EX-HN 5]). The acupoint combination is optimized through identifying the heat sensitivity. Sparrow-pecking moxibustion and mild moxibustion are used to control the appropriate moxibustion temperature, efficiently stimulate deqi and individually saturate the dose of moxibustion so as to target the principle of treatment and improve the sleep quality.

Comparison of the acupuncture manipulation properties of traditional East Asian medicine and Western medical acupuncture.

Background: Acupuncture treatments frequently use manipulation techniques. The therapeutic advantages of acupuncture differ depending on the acupuncture manipulation. The purpose of this article was to compare manipulation techniques in traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) and Western medical acupuncture (WMA). Methods: Manipulation techniques in TEAM and WMA were compared according to purpose, modulating parameters, and indications. The practical understanding of manipulation in terms of acupuncture stimulation intensity was also explored. The TEAM manipulation techniques of twirling and lifting and thrusting are discussed in terms of the objectives of tonification and sedation. Results: The main therapeutic effect of WMA is mediated through activation of the nervous system, which is achieved with adequate intensity of needling. The TEAM tonification and sedation techniques were designed to produce mild or intense stimulation, respectively, to elicit varying degrees of deqi sensation. Conclusions: Further research is needed to clarify the differences between the TEAM and WMA practices, and to determine whether different needling manipulations affect treatment outcomes.

The role of visual expectations in acupuncture analgesia: A quantitative electroencephalography study.

Acupuncture is a complex treatment comprising multisensory stimulation, including visual and tactile sensations and experiences of body ownership. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of these three components of acupuncture stimulation in acupuncture analgesia. 40 healthy volunteers participated in the study and received acupuncture treatment under three different conditions (real-hand, rubber-hand synchronous, and rubber-hand asynchronous). The tolerance for heat pain stimuli was measured before and after treatment. Brain oscillation changes were also measured using electroencephalography (EEG). The pain tolerance was significantly increased after acupuncture treatment under all three conditions. Noticeable deqi (needle) sensations in response to acupuncture stimulation of the rubber hand were found under both rubber-hand synchronous and rubber-hand asynchronous conditions. Deqi sensations were significantly correlated with acupuncture analgesia only under the rubber-hand synchronous condition. Increased delta and decreased theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves were observed after acupuncture treatment under all three conditions. Our findings clarified the role of cognitive components of acupuncture treatment in acupuncture analgesia through the rubber-hand illusion. This study is a first step toward separating various components of acupuncture analgesia, i.e. visual, tactile, and body ownership, and utilizing those components to maximize analgesic effects.

[Effect of moxibustion with deqi on Aß-receptor mediated transport and enzymatic degradation in hippocampus in rats with Alzheimer's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion with deqi on Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats, and evaluate its effect on ß-amyloid (Aß) transport and enzymatic degradation proteins, to explore its molecular mechanism for improving cognitive function. METHODS: Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (8 rats), a sham-operation group (8 rats) and a model establishment group (44 rats). The rats in the model establishment group were injected with Aß1-42 at bilateral ventricles to establish AD model. Among the 38 rats with successful model establishment, 8 rats were randomly selected as the model group, and the remaining rats were treated with mild moxibustion at "Dazhui" (GV 14), once a day, 40 min each time, for 28 days. According to whether deqi appeared and the occurrence time of deqi, the rats were divided into a deqi group (12 rats), a delayed deqi group (10 rats) and a non-deqi group (8 rats). After the intervention, the Morris water maze test was applied to evaluate the cognitive function; the HE staining was applied to observe the brain morphology; the Western blot method was applied to measure the protein expression of Aß and its receptor mediated transport [low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 1, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), apolipoprotein E (ApoE)] and enzymatic degradation [neprilysin (NEP), insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), endothelin converting enzyme (ECE)-1 and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2]. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, in the model group, the escape latency was prolonged (P<0.01), and the times of platform crossing and the ratio of platform quadrant to total time were reduced (P<0.01); the brain tissue was seriously damaged; the expression of hippocampal Aß and RAGE was increased (P<0.01), and the expression of hippocampal LRP1, ApoE, NEP, IDE, ECE-1 and ACE2 was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the escape latency was shortened in the deqi group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the escape latency in the delayed deqi group and the non-deqi group was shortened from Day 2 to Day 5 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the times of platform crossing and the ratio of platform quadrant to total time were increased in the deqi group and the delayed deqi group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the brain damage in each moxibustion group was reduced, which was smallest in the deqi group, followed by the delayed deqi group and the non-deqi group; the expression of Aß and RAGE was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) and the expression of LRP1 and IDE was increased in each moxibustion group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the expression of ApoE was increased in the deqi group and the delayed deqi group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the expression of NEP was increased in deqi group (P<0.05), and the expression of ECE-1 and ACE2 was increased in the deqi group and the delayed deqi group (P<0.05). Compared with the delayed deqi group and the non-deqi group, the escape latency in the deqi group was shortened from Day 3 to Day 5 (P<0.05), and the times of platform crossing and the ratio of platform quadrant to total time were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the non-deqi group, the expression of Aß was reduced (P<0.05), the expression of LRP1 and ApoE was increased in the deqi group (P<0.05). The expression of NEP in the deqi group was higher than that in the delayed deqi group and the non-deqi group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with non-deqi, moxibustion with deqi could promote Aß transport and degradation, thereby reducing Aß level in the brain and improving cognitive function for AD rats.

[Analysis on "the essence of tuina, arrival of qi ensuring curative effect"].

In reference with the systematic review of the thought of deqi (arrival of qi) put forward in Huangdi Neijing (Internal Classic of Yellow Emperor) and other classic books of traditional Chinese medicine, in view of detecting qi and identifying qi before treatment, as well as the prerequisites of deqi in tuina, meaning the accurate syndrome differentiation and manipulations, the importance of deqi in treatment with tuina is expounded. In association with clinical experience, the specific manifestations of deqi in patients during tuina are summarized, e.g. soreness, distention, pain, numbness, warm feeling and slight sweating, local changes in intestinal sound and skin color, as well as mind regulation. It is anticipated that deqi of tuina may be drawn the attention in clinical practice, and the relevant study be expanded.

Using a consensus acupoints regimen to explore the relationship between acupuncture sensation and lumbar spinal postoperative analgesia: A retrospective analysis of prospective clinical cooperation.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on postoperative pain in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease, and explored the relationship between the postoperative analgesic effect of acupuncture and the sensation of acupuncture experienced by the patients. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 97 patients who had undergone an operation by the same surgeon due to degenerative lumbar disease. These patients were divided into acupuncture group (n = 32), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) group (n = 27), and oral analgesia group (n = 38) according to the different postoperative analgesic methods. During their hospitalization, patients completed daily evaluations of their pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and injection times of supplemental meperidine were recorded. Also, the Chinese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS) was used in the acupuncture group. RESULTS: Each of the three treatment groups showed significant reductions in postoperative pain, as shown by reduced VAS scores. The acupuncture group, however, had less rebound pain (P < 0.05) than the other two groups. Both the acupuncture and PCA groups experienced acute analgesic effects that were superior to those in the oral analgesia group. In addition, the higher the C-MASS index on the second day after surgery, the lower the VAS score on the fourth day after surgery. There was also a significant difference in the "dull pain" in the acupuncture sensation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that acupuncture was beneficial for postoperative pain and discomfort after simple surgery for degenerative spinal disease. It is worth noting that there was a disproportionate relevance between the patient's acupuncture sensation and the improvement of pain VAS score.

Using a consensus acupoints regimen to explore the relationship between acupuncture sensation and lumbar spinal postoperative analgesia: A retrospective analysis of prospective clinical cooperation / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on postoperative pain in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease, and explored the relationship between the postoperative analgesic effect of acupuncture and the sensation of acupuncture experienced by the patients.@*METHODS@#This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 97 patients who had undergone an operation by the same surgeon due to degenerative lumbar disease. These patients were divided into acupuncture group (n = 32), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) group (n = 27), and oral analgesia group (n = 38) according to the different postoperative analgesic methods. During their hospitalization, patients completed daily evaluations of their pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and injection times of supplemental meperidine were recorded. Also, the Chinese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS) was used in the acupuncture group.@*RESULTS@#Each of the three treatment groups showed significant reductions in postoperative pain, as shown by reduced VAS scores. The acupuncture group, however, had less rebound pain (P < 0.05) than the other two groups. Both the acupuncture and PCA groups experienced acute analgesic effects that were superior to those in the oral analgesia group. In addition, the higher the C-MASS index on the second day after surgery, the lower the VAS score on the fourth day after surgery. There was also a significant difference in the "dull pain" in the acupuncture sensation.@*CONCLUSION@#The results demonstrated that acupuncture was beneficial for postoperative pain and discomfort after simple surgery for degenerative spinal disease. It is worth noting that there was a disproportionate relevance between the patient's acupuncture sensation and the improvement of pain VAS score.

Analysis on "the essence of tuina, arrival of qi ensuring curative effect" / 中国针灸

In reference with the systematic review of the thought of deqi (arrival of qi) put forward in Huangdi Neijing (Internal Classic of Yellow Emperor) and other classic books of traditional Chinese medicine, in view of detecting qi and identifying qi before treatment, as well as the prerequisites of deqi in tuina, meaning the accurate syndrome differentiation and manipulations, the importance of deqi in treatment with tuina is expounded. In association with clinical experience, the specific manifestations of deqi in patients during tuina are summarized, e.g. soreness, distention, pain, numbness, warm feeling and slight sweating, local changes in intestinal sound and skin color, as well as mind regulation. It is anticipated that deqi of tuina may be drawn the attention in clinical practice, and the relevant study be expanded.

The Temporal Dynamics of EEG Microstate Reveals the Neuromodulation Effect of Acupuncture With Deqi.

The electroencephalography (EEG) microstate has recently emerged as a new whole-brain mapping tool for studying the temporal dynamics of the human brain. Meanwhile, the neuromodulation effect of external stimulation on the human brain is of increasing interest to neuroscientists. Acupuncture, which originated in ancient China, is recognized as an external neuromodulation method with therapeutic effects. Effective acupuncture could elicit the deqi effect, which is a combination of multiple sensations. However, whether the EEG microstate could be used to reveal the neuromodulation effect of acupuncture with deqi remains largely unclear. In this study, multichannel EEG data were recorded from 16 healthy subjects during acupuncture manipulation, as well as during pre- and post-manipulation tactile controls and pre- and post-acupuncture rest controls. As the basic acupuncture unit for regulating the central nervous system, the Hegu acupoint was used in this study, and each subject's acupuncture deqi behavior scores were collected. To reveal the neuroimaging evidence of acupuncture with deqi, EEG microstate analysis was conducted to obtain the microstate maps and microstate parameters for different conditions. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation was analyzed to investigate the correlation relationship between microstate parameters and deqi behavioral scores. Results showed that: (1) compared with tactile controls, acupuncture manipulation caused significantly increased deqi behavioral scores. (2) Acupuncture manipulation significantly increased the duration, occurrence, and contribution parameters of microstate C, whereas it decreased those parameters of microstate D. (3) Microstate C's duration parameter showed a significantly positive correlation with acupuncture deqi behavior scores. (4) Acupuncture manipulation significantly increased the transition probabilities with microstate C as node, whereas it reduced the transition probabilities with microstate D as node. (5) Microstate B→C's transition probability also showed a significantly positive correlation with acupuncture deqi behavior scores. Taken together, the temporal dynamic feature of EEG microstate could be used as objective neuroimaging evidence to reveal the neuromodulation effect of acupuncture with deqi.

[Preliminary research of deqi and the tissue depth of acupoint thread embedding therapy on weight reduction under ultrasonic guidance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impacts on weight reduction effect treated with acupoint thread embedding therapy at different tissue levels under ultrasonic guidance. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with overweight or obesity were randomized into a shallow-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a deep-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Under ultrasonic guidance, the thread was embedded in the shallow tissue level and the deep tissue level respectively. The acupoints were Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Shuifen (CV 9), Zhongji (CV 3), etc. The thread embedding therapy was exerted once every 2 weeks, totally for 3 times. Before and 2 weeks after treatment, body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference were recorded in the patients of the two groups separately. After each treatment, the number and the property of blood vessels under each acupoint were detected by ultrasound. Besides, the needling sensation and the intensity were scored and the adverse events were observed after thread embedding therapy. RESULTS: After treatment, the reduction range of body mass, BMI and waist circumference in the deep-tissue thread embedding group were larger than those in the shallow-tissue thread embedding group successively (P<0.05). The scores of distention and fullness sensation, needling sensation and intensity in the deep-tissue thread embedding group were higher than those in the shallow-tissue thread embedding group successively (P<0.05). Of 29 cases in the shallow-tissue thread embedding group and 27 cases of the deep-tissue thread embedding group, under at least one acupoint, the vessels were found and distributed unevenly (P<0.05). There were no adverse events, i.e. bleeding and infection in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The deep-tissue thread embedding therapy achieves the stronger deqi (needling sensation) and better effect of weight reduction. The acupoint thread embedding therapy under ultrasonic guidance can accurately locate the tissue depth and reduce the incidence of adverse events of thread embedding treatment.

[Closed-loop neuromodulation technique brings new opportunities and challenges to acupuncture and moxibustion therapies].

In recent years, the newly appeared closed-loop neuromodulation technique composed of closed-loop controlled stimulation system and neuromodulation is the product of medicine and inter-disciplines. In medical clinical practice, the idea of closed-loop controlled stimulation can be seen everywhere. When both the patient and acupuncturist achieve the state of "Deqi" simultaneously, it is a kind of feedback adjustment process similar to that of the closed-loop stimulation system. Cross-functional multidisciplinary development is the future trend of medical science progress. The acupuncture-moxibustion discipline can draw lessons from the research experience and achievements of closed-loop neuromodulation techniques to explore the origin of the compatibility of meridians, acupoints, and needling manipulations.

[Characteristics of "deqi" and myoelectricity in different tissue structures of acupoint].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture in different tissue structures on deqi and the electromyography of acupoint area. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects, respectively accepted 4 kinds of needling stimulation, i.e. stimulating skin at Zusanli (ST36), stimulating ST36 with and without skin anesthesia using compound lidocaine cream, and stimulating at Dubi (ST35) without skin anesthesia. Deqi sensation of the acupuncturist and subjects were measured according to MGH Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS) during needling, and the myoelectricity around the acupoints was recorded simultaneously. The occurrence rate and intensity of the different deqi sensations, the relationship between the acupuncturist's and subjects' deqi sensations, and the integrated electromyogram (iEMG) were analyzed. RESULTS: Sharp pain and tingling were the main sensations during skin needling at ST36. Fullness, dull pain, soreness and acupuncturist's tightness were the main sensations during needling with or without skin anesthesia at ST36. Fullness was the main sensation during needling at ST35, while the intensity was lower than that during needling at ST36. A positive correlation in the intensity was found between subjects' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness during needling with or without skin anesthesia at ST36. The subjects' fullness appeared earlier about 5 seconds than acupuncturist's tightness. The iEMGs during subjects' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness were 2-3 times of that before needling. CONCLUSION: Deqi sensations such as subjects' fullness, dull pain, soreness and acupuncturist's tightness are mainly related to the activity of the muscles under the acupoints. Subjects' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness always appear together. Acupuncturist's tightness may be mediated by the muscle stretch reflex induced by needling stimulation.

The participation of basolateral amygdala in the efficacy of acupuncture with deqi treating for functional dyspepsia.

Deqi is taken as an indispensable requirement to achieve acupuncture efficacy. This study aimed to explore the central influence of deqi on the efficacy of acupuncture for functional dyspepsia (FD). 70 FD patients were randomized to receive 20 sessions' acupuncture treatment with (n = 35) and without deqi (n = 35). In each group, 25 FD patients randomly selected underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after treatment. After group re-division according to deqi response, changes of amygdala subregions-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) were compared between the acupuncture with and without obvious deqi group. The clinical changes of the Nepean Dyspepsia Symptom Index (NDSI) measuring FD symptoms were also used to further assess the correlation with amygdala subregions rsFC in FD patients. The decrease in the NDSI scores (pre-pos) in the obvious deqi group was significantly greater than that in the acupuncture without obvious deqi group (p < 0.05). Compared to the without obvious deqi group, the obvious deqi group showed significantly decreased the left basolateral amygdala (BLA) rsFC with bilateral insular (INS), putamen and middle/posterior cingulate cortex (MCC/PCC), right pallidum and hippocampus (HIPP) after treatment. The changed NDSI scores(pre-post) of all 41 FD patients was significantly positively correlated with their Fisher's transformed z value of the left BLA rsFC with left INS (r = 0.376, FDR corrected p = 0.015), and rsFC with right HIPP (r = 0.394, FDR corrected p = 0.015). The changed NDSI scores(pre-post) of the obvious deqi group was significantly negatively correlated with their Fisher's transformed z value of the right centromedial amygdala (CMA) rsFC with left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) (r = -0.463, p = 0.035). The results tested the hypothesis that the advantage of deqi on efficacy is related to affecting the BLA and CMA rsFC. It suggested that deqi might influence the abnormal rsFC within the salience network (SN), and participate in the adaptive modulation of disrupted relationship between the SN and default mode network (DMN).

Effects of Three Needling Manipulations of Zusanli (ST 36) on Deqi Sensations and Surface Myoelectricity in Healthy Participants.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different acupuncture manipulations on Deqi sensations and surface myoelectricity, and explore the correlation between Deqi sensations and needling manipulations. METHODS: Forty-five healthy participants accepted twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting manipulanions at right Zusanli (ST 36), respectively. The acupuncturist's and participants' Deqi sensations were collected by MGH Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS). The intensity and occurrence rate of soreness, dull pain, pressure, heaviness, fullness, numbness, sharp pain, warmth, coolness, and throbbing feelings of participants, and tightness, smooth, and tangle feelings of acupuncturist were measured. The correlation between the acupuncturist's and participant's Deqi sensations was analyzed. Surface electromyogram (EMG) were recorded before, during and after needling in 30 participants. The integrated EMG (iEMG), mean power frequency (MPF) and media frequency (MF) were analyzed. RESULT: Both fullness and soreness of participants and tightness of acupuncturist were the most frequently occurred ones. A positive correlation between participants' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness was observed during the three aforementioned needling manipulations (P<0.05, OR>1). Almost all the needling sensations measured in the present study could be induced by the three needling manipulations. However, strength of Deqi sensations was exhibited as lifting-thrusting > twirling plus lifting-thrusting > twirling according to MASS index. The iEMG values were increased and MPF, MF values were decreased during needling compaired to those before needling, especially during lifting-thrusting (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The intensity and occurrence rate of the different Deqi sensations induced by different needling manipulations were basically similar. The fullness and soreness were both the most frequently induced Deqi sensations. The strongest Deqi sensation could be induced by lifting-thrusting manipulation. There is a positive correlation between participants' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness during the three needling manipulations. The myoelectricity around the acupoint is related to Deqi responses. (Registration No. AMCTR-IOR-20000314).

Comparison of physical electrical conductivity and acupuncture de-qi sensation between stainless steel needling and supercritical fluid-treated needling.

BACKGROUND: While acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, modern technology to develop new needle materials has rarely been discussed. We aim to explore a new acupuncture needle material and compare the differences in the needling sensations between the acupuncture needle surface treated with nitrogen applied supercritical fluid (SCF-N) and conventional stainless steel needles. METHODS: This was a double-blind cohort study. The acupuncture needles were randomly used in this experiment, including the SCF-N-treated needles and the control stainless steel needles. LI 4 (Hegu) and LI 11 (Quchi) acupuncture points in the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of Hand were treated. Physical electrical resistance, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and visual analog scale (VAS) score including the sensations of soreness, numbness, distention, and heaviness were assessed. RESULTS: The proportion of nitrogen (N) was significantly higher in the SCF-N-treated needles than in the stainless steel needles group (2.3 ± 0.2% vs 0.0 ± 0.0%, P < 0.01). The cumulative de-qi sensation score at the LI 4 Hegu acupoint (1.87 ± 1.88 vs 1.54 ± 1.62, P = 0.014), especially the sensation of soreness score (2.76 ± 2.06 vs 2.13 ± 1.85, P = 0.045), revealed statistically significant differences between both groups. SCF-N surface treatment of acupuncture needles may lower the electrical resistance more than the control stainless steel needles (24.67 ± 0.88 kW vs 26.45 ± 0.75 kW, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture needles modified with SCF-N surface treatment can enhance de-qi sensations to improve electrical conductivity of the meridian and therapeutic effects on the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of Hand. SCF-N surface treated needles can be as a new acupuncture needle material in the future.

Effects of Three Needling Manipulations of Zusanli (ST 36) on Deqi Sensations and Surface Myoelectricity in Healthy Participants / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of different acupuncture manipulations on Deqi sensations and surface myoelectricity, and explore the correlation between Deqi sensations and needling manipulations.@*METHODS@#Forty-five healthy participants accepted twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting manipulanions at right Zusanli (ST 36), respectively. The acupuncturist's and participants' Deqi sensations were collected by MGH Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS). The intensity and occurrence rate of soreness, dull pain, pressure, heaviness, fullness, numbness, sharp pain, warmth, coolness, and throbbing feelings of participants, and tightness, smooth, and tangle feelings of acupuncturist were measured. The correlation between the acupuncturist's and participant's Deqi sensations was analyzed. Surface electromyogram (EMG) were recorded before, during and after needling in 30 participants. The integrated EMG (iEMG), mean power frequency (MPF) and media frequency (MF) were analyzed.@*RESULT@#Both fullness and soreness of participants and tightness of acupuncturist were the most frequently occurred ones. A positive correlation between participants' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness was observed during the three aforementioned needling manipulations (P1). Almost all the needling sensations measured in the present study could be induced by the three needling manipulations. However, strength of Deqi sensations was exhibited as lifting-thrusting > twirling plus lifting-thrusting > twirling according to MASS index. The iEMG values were increased and MPF, MF values were decreased during needling compaired to those before needling, especially during lifting-thrusting (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The intensity and occurrence rate of the different Deqi sensations induced by different needling manipulations were basically similar. The fullness and soreness were both the most frequently induced Deqi sensations. The strongest Deqi sensation could be induced by lifting-thrusting manipulation. There is a positive correlation between participants' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness during the three needling manipulations. The myoelectricity around the acupoint is related to Deqi responses. (Registration No. AMCTR-IOR-20000314).

Preliminary research of / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the impacts on weight reduction effect treated with acupoint thread embedding therapy at different tissue levels under ultrasonic guidance.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with overweight or obesity were randomized into a shallow-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a deep-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Under ultrasonic guidance, the thread was embedded in the shallow tissue level and the deep tissue level respectively. The acupoints were Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Shuifen (CV 9), Zhongji (CV 3), etc. The thread embedding therapy was exerted once every 2 weeks, totally for 3 times. Before and 2 weeks after treatment, body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference were recorded in the patients of the two groups separately. After each treatment, the number and the property of blood vessels under each acupoint were detected by ultrasound. Besides, the needling sensation and the intensity were scored and the adverse events were observed after thread embedding therapy.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the reduction range of body mass, BMI and waist circumference in the deep-tissue thread embedding group were larger than those in the shallow-tissue thread embedding group successively (@*CONCLUSION@#The deep-tissue thread embedding therapy achieves the stronger

42 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 of the ordinary type with the adjuvant treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion 42.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of adjuvant treatment with heat-sensitive moxibustion for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of the ordinary type. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with COVID-19 of the ordinary type were adopted. Shénquè ( CV8) and Tianshu ( ST25) were selected. Heat-sensitive moxibustion was operated according to the required standard, 40 min to 60 min each time, once daily. Before and after moxibustion, the improvements in clinical symptoms were evaluated, such as chest oppression, poor appetite, lassitude and negative emotions. RESULTS: (1) The number of cases and the incidence was 21 cases (50.0%), 24 cases (57.1%) and 26 cases (61.9%) for chest oppression, poor appetite and lassitude before heat-sensitive moxibustion. The number of cases was reduced to be 10 cases (23.8%), 7 cases (16.7%) and 4 cases (9.5%) after the 1st treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion for chest oppression, poor appetite, and lassitude. It was reduced to be 11 cases (26.2%), 8 cases (19.0%) and 4 cases (9.5%) after the 2nd treatment of moxibustion and it was reduced to be 18 cases (42.9%), 10 cases (23.8%) and 6 cases (14.3%) after the 3rd treatment of moxibustion. The incidences of the symptoms were all reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment. (2) Before treatment with heat-sensitive moxibustion, there were 24 cases of negative emotions (57.1%). It was reduced to be 16 cases (38.1%), 11 cases (26.2%) and 3 cases (7.1%) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion successively. The incidences were all reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment. (3) After the 1st treatment, the active acceptance rate of heat-sensitive moxibustion was 100% (42/42) in the patients, higher than 11.9% (5/42) before treatment. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant treatment with heat-sensitive moxibustion effectively relieves the symptoms of COVID-19 such as chest oppression, poor appetite and lassitude, and alleviates the negative emotions, such as tension and anxiety. This therapy improves the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 and deserves to be promoted in clinical practice.