Effect of Needling Manipulations on Treatment of Cerebral Infarction

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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)was 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 i EMG 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).

The role of mechanoreceptors in acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to heal the body;it is essential to comprehend the mechanism of acupuncture within the modern medical framework.By far much research provided a modern scientific understanding of how acupuncture works,most of them indicated that nervous system is involved.However,few studies have been conducted on how acupuncture trigger the nervous system.When the thin needle inserts the acupoint,the mechanical stress generated by acupuncture is the key factor of acupuncture effect.The first peripheral receptors activated in this process are mechanoreceptors,which are sensitive to mechanical forces.The purpose of this review is to explore the connection between the mechanoreceptors located in the skin and subcutaneous tissues and the acupuncture therapy.It also attempts to clue the possible roles of mechanoreceptors in the skin surface and subcutaneous tissue during the acupuncture manipulation and electroacupuncture.

De-qi,Not Psychological Factors,Determines the Therapeutic Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective： To study the impact of De-qi （得气%, obtaining qi） and psychological factors on the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea, with an attempt to explore the relationship among De-qi, psychological factors, and clinical efficacy. Methods： The patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to a group of acupuncture with manual manipulation （manipulation group, n=67） and an acupuncture group without manipulation （non-manipulation group, n=64）. Pain intensity and pain duration were used as measures for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of the acupuncture treatment. De-qi, the sensations a patient experienced during the acupuncture treatment, was scored on a 4-point scale by the subjects. In addition, the psychological factors, including belief in acupuncture, the level of nervousness, anxiety, and depression, were quantitatively assessed. The personality of the subject was assessed using the Eysenck personality questionnaire （EPQ） and 16 personality factor questionnaire （16PF）. Results： Complete data were obtained from 120 patients, 60 patients in each group. There were statistically significant differences in pain intensity （W=2410.0, P〈0.01 ） and pain duration （W=3181.0, P〈0.01） between the two groups. The number of De-qi acupoints （W=1150.5, P〈0.01） and the average intensity of De-qi （W=1141.0, P〈0.01） were significantly higher in the manipulation group as compared with their non-manipulation counterparts. The correlation coefficients between De-qi and therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture were greater than those between psychological factors and therapeutic efficacy. Conclusions： Compared with the psychological factors, De-qi contributed more to the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture in subjects with primary dysmenorrhea. Moreover, manual manipulation is a prerequisite for eliciting and enhancing the De-qi sensations, and De-qi is critical for achieving therapeutic effects.