Is Deqi an Indicator of Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture? A Systematic Review

Shuo Zhang,Li Zhang,Wen-Ke Zheng,Wei Mu,Chun-Xiang Liu,Hong-Cai Shang,Lu Xiao

doi:10.1155/2013/750140

Abstract

Objective. Despite the systematic literature review of the current evidence, we aim to answer the question “ is Deqi an indicator of clinical effects in acupuncture treatment?” Methods. We systematically searched CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, PubMed, Embase, and the CENTRAL for three types of study: (1) empirical research probing into the role of Deqi in acupuncture; (2) mechanism studies examining the effect of Deqi on physiological parameters in animal models and human subjects; (3) clinical studies that compared the outcome of acupuncture with Deqi with that of acupuncture without Deqi. Two reviewers independently extracted data, undertook qualitative or quantitative analysis, and summarized findings. Results. The ancient Chinese acupuncturists valued the role of Deqi as a diagnostic tool, a prognosis predictor, and a necessary part of the therapeutic procedure. Findings from modern experimental research provided preliminary evidence for the physiological mechanism that produced Deqi. Few clinical studies generated conflicting evidence of the comparative effectiveness of acupuncture with Deqi versus acupuncture without Deqi for a variety of conditions. Conclusion. The current evidence base is not solid enough to draw any conclusion regarding the predicative value of natural Deqi for clinical efficacy or the therapeutic value of manipulation-facilitated Deqi.

Highlights

Deqi refers to a composite of sensations felt at the needling site after adequate needle insertion with or without proper manipulation
It is hypothesized that activation of the stretch-activated ion channels is a mediator of the Deqi sensation and the transduction of stimulation signals
A total of 10,492 studies (8,188 from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), 219 from VIP, 1,349 from Wanfang, 209 from PubMed, 465 from Embase, and 62 from CENTRAL) were identified through initial electronic searches; 7,504 studies were left after duplicates were eliminated; and 482 studies were identified after a preliminary screening that ruled out apparently irrelevant studies, comments, or review

Summary

Introduction

Deqi (in Chinese pinyin, literally translated as “arrival of qi”) refers to a composite of sensations felt at the needling site after adequate needle insertion with or without proper manipulation. The production of such a special response of the human body is believed to be based on the flow of qi (energy) along channels referred to as meridians in the body. Acupuncture recipients may have feelings of coldness, warmth, itching, aching, or twitching, and such a sensation can sometimes be conducted from the needling site towards a more distant area along the meridian. The practitioner feels tenseness, drugging, sinking, and vibrations around the needle tail [2]

Methods

Results

Conclusion