The Relation between Deqi and Anti-itching Effect of Acupuncture Stimulation

득기와 침의 항소양 효과 간의 상관관계 분석

  • Park, Ji-Eun (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Ae-Ran (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Jung, So-Young (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Eun (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Hyun-Jung (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Kyung-Won (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Hee-Jung (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Tae-Hun (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Shin, Mi-Suk (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Park, Hyo-Ju (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Sun-Mi (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine)
  • 박지은 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 김애란 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 정소영 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 김정은 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 정현정 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 강경원 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 정희정 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 김태훈 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 신미숙 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 박효주 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹) ;
  • 최선미 (한국한의학연구원 침구경락연구그룹)
  • Received : 2012.05.18
  • Accepted : 2012.06.07
  • Published : 2012.06.27

Abstract

Objectives : 'Obtaining qi(deqi)' is a sensation experienced by a patient or an acupuncturist during acupuncture treatment, and it is considered to be an important factor in acupuncture treatment. However, previous studies reported conflicting results about the relationship between 'obtaining qi(deqi)' sensation and the effect of acupuncture treatment. Also, most of the previous studies investigating 'obtaining qi(deqi)' and the acupuncture effect, dealt with the analgesic effect of acupuncture. The objective of this study was to analyze the relation between the 'obtaining qi(deqi)' and the anti-itching effect of acupuncture treatment. Methods : Twenty one healthy subjects participated in this study. At the first visit, itch was induced to all subjects using intradermal injection of histamine on the lower arm. At the second visit, acupuncture treatment was applied using LI11 and 'obtaining qi(deqi)' was assessed. After acupuncture treatment, itch was induced again, and itch VAS and skin flare were assessed. Results: At the 6,8,10 minutes after histamine injection, the change of itch VAS between before and after acupuncture treatment was significant. Among 'obtaining qi(deqi)', subjects reported that 'dull ache', 'pricking', 'heavy' were most strong. Total score of 'obtaining qi(deqi)' sensation was not related to the change of itch VAS or skin flare. The 'electric shock' sensation is related to the change of itch VAS, and 'bruised' and 'heavy' sensations were related to the change of skin flare. Conclusions : Total 'obtaining qi(deqi)' is not related to the anti-itching effect of acupuncture, but several sensations showed relationship with the effect of acupuncture on itch severity and skin flare. Further researches based on various symptoms or acupuncture points, are needed.

Keywords

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