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

Table 4

Characteristics of the included clinical studies.

Study ID	Type of disease	Sample (T/C)	Comparison (exposure)	Treatment course	Outcome measures
Ma 2012 [65]	Primary hypertension	293 totally	Patient-reported natural Deqi after intramuscular needle insertion versus noncharacteristic Deqi sensations	One 30 m session	Blood pressure
Mei et al. 2010 [62]	Bell’s palsy	28/22	Intramuscular insertion and manipulation + medication versus nonmanipulation + medication	Five 30 m sessions per week for 4 weeks	Effective rate based on HBS, 16PF, HAMA, and DSS (VAS)
Xu et al. 2013 [63]	Bell’s palsy	167/171; 159/157	Intramuscular insertion and manipulation until Deqi + medication versus nonmanipulation + medication	Five 30 m sessions per week for 4 weeks	Facial-nerve function (HBS), FDI, WHO HR-QoL, DSS (VAS), and adverse events
Lund et al. 2006 [66]	Pelvic pain in late pregnancy	35/35; 22/25	Intramuscular insertion and manipulation until the patient-reported Deqi versus subcutaneous insertion and nonmanipulation	Two 30 m sessions per week for 5 weeks	Pain intensity (VAS) at rest/during daily activities and NHPQ
Haker and Lundeberg 1990 [67]	Epicondylalgia	86 in total; 44/38	Intramuscular insertion and manipulation until Deqi versus subcutaneous insertion and nonmanipulation	Ten 20 m sessions (2 or 3 times weekly), and followup after 3 and 12 months	Patient-reported pain improvement, lifting test, and vigorimeter test
Xiong et al. 2011 [68]	Primary dysmenorrhea	45/45; (67/64,; 60/60 for Xiong et al. 2012 [69])	Intramuscular insertion (1-2 cm) and manipulation until Deqi versus nonmanipulation	Five consecutive 30 m sessions per menstrual cycle and for 3 courses	Effective rate, pain intensity (VAS), pain duration, and DSS (nervousness using VAS, acupuncture confidence questionnaire, EPQ, and 16PF were added in Xiong et al. 2012 [69])
Chen 2011 [64]	Cervical spondylosis	36/34	Intramuscular insertion and manipulation until Deqi + intradermal needle placement versus subcutaneous insertion and nonmanipulation + intradermal needle placement	Ten 20 m sessions, and followup at 1 and 3 months	NPQ, MPQ, and SF-36
Zheng 2012 [70]	Migraine	9/10 (completed); Ongoing study	Intramuscular insertion and manipulation until Deqi versus subcutaneous insertion and nonmanipulation	Twelve 30 m sessions, lasting for 8 weeks. Followup at 1 and 2 months	Migraine assessment tool (self-devised), pain intensity (VAS), pain duration, response rate, and safety

The latter set of numbers in the “Sample” column refers to the number of participants included in data analysis. Abbreviations. DSS: Deqi sensation scale. It is a tool providing typical descriptors of the needling sensations for patients to choose from those the best that represent their experience. Combining with VAS, it allows rating of the intensity of response to each sensation ranging from “none” to “unbearable pain,” or on a numeric scale. EPQ: eysenck personality questionnaire; FDI: facial disability index; FDIP: FDI physical function scores; HAMA: the Hamilton anxiety scale; HBS: House-Brackmann scale; m: minute; MPQ: the McGill pain questionnaire; NHPQ: the Nottingham health profile questionnaire; NPQ: the Northwick Park questionnaire; 16PF: 16 personality factor questionnaire; VAS: visual analog scale.