Perception of <it>Deqi </it>by Chinese and American acupuncturists: a pilot survey

• Main Authors: Fang Jiliang (Author), Li Ming (Author), Vangel Mark G (Author), Sporko Tara N (Author), Hui Kathleen KKS (Author), Lao Lixing (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In acupuncture, <it>deqi </it>is the sensory experience related to clinical efficacy. As the first study taking into account cultural differences on <it>deqi </it>sensation, this pilot survey aims to corroborate the acupuncturists' general experience in clinical practice with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questionnaires were distributed to acupuncturists of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine)hospitals and acupuncturists attending workshops and seminars in the United States and China. Questions covered clinical significance of <it>deqi</it>, patient attitude and the nature of some pain-related sensations elicited by manual needling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>47 out of a total of 86 acupuncturists agreed that dull pain was <it>deqi </it>and over half regarded it beneficial, while sharp pain was non-<it>deqi </it>and harmful instead. The patients' attitude toward <it>deqi </it>sensation showed a difference between US and China. There was no other dimension showing a difference.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results of this pilot survey indicate that the acupuncturists' perception is consistent with our previous fMRI findings. Results showed almost complete agreement that dull pain is considered <it>deqi </it>and beneficial to treatment, while sharp pain is not <it>deqi </it>and harmful. Particularly, dull pain was <it>deqi </it>and was beneficial to treatment whereas sharp pain was not. Patients in China liked the <it>deqi </it>experience whereas those in the US did not.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1749-8546-6-2
1749-8546