Acupuncture stimulation elicits Deqi, a composite of unique sensations that is essential for clinical efficacy according to traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, clinical trials of acupuncture have paid increasing attention to the evocation of Deqi. The physiological mechanism that produces the effect of Deqi has also been explored in several studies but is not well understood. Preliminary findings suggest that Deqi may be an important phenomenon to measure in clinical studies of acupuncture so that its effects on clinical and biological outcomes should be further elucidated. However, few investigators have made explicit efforts to show how to measure Deqi from both the patient and the acupuncturer's perspective and examine the relationship between Deqi and therapeutic effect. Deqi should be taken into account in clinical trials, and more researches are required to understand the underlying mechanisms.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the physiological mechanism that produces Deqi. We are particularly interested in articles describing the clinical characterization of the Deqi, qualitative and quantitative measurements of Deqi, imaging study on physiological mechanism that produces the effect of Deqi, new insights into physiological mechanism using animal models, and current concepts in Deqi and Acupuncture. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Characterization of the Deqi during acupuncture treatment
• Qualitative and quantitative measurements of Deqi
• Neuroimaging studies on the interaction between Deqi and acupuncture
• Physiological mechanism that produces the effect of Deqi
• Recent advances in Deqi and acupuncture effects
• Deqi in manual, electro-, laser-, and other types of acupuncture
• Clinical research of Deqi sensation

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