Influences of De Qi induced by acupuncture on immediate and accumulated analgesic effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

De Qi is a special sensational response upon acupuncture needling. According to traditional acupuncture theory, the treatment is "effective only after Qi arrival"; that is, De Qi is an important indicator of therapeutic efficacy and good prognosis. However, it is still disputable whether De Qi improves the efficacy of acupuncture therapy. This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to explore the influence of De Qi induced by acupuncture on immediate and accumulated analgesic effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods/design

Eighty-eight patients with KOA will be recruited and randomly assigned to the De Qi group (enhanced stimulation to evoke De Qi) and the control group (weak stimulation to avoid De Qi) in the Department of Acupuncture an

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5460357 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature