LIN Jinwen,QI Shiyi,WANG Shihao,et al.Exploring effect of acupuncture "treating the spirit" on sensation of Deqi based on correlation dimension characteristics of electrooculogram signals[J].Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2025,59(3):12-17.
LIN Jinwen,QI Shiyi,WANG Shihao,et al.Exploring effect of acupuncture "treating the spirit" on sensation of Deqi based on correlation dimension characteristics of electrooculogram signals[J].Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2025,59(3):12-17. DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2025.z20240628004.
Exploring effect of acupuncture "treating the spirit" on sensation of Deqi based on correlation dimension characteristics of electrooculogram signals
To explore the manifestations of Deqi needling sensation under different attention states, and the relationship between attention states and the intensity of Deqi based on the correlation dimension (D
2
) characteristics of electrooculogram (EOG) signals, in order to provide scientific evidence for the theories of "treating the spirit" and Deqi in acupuncture.
Methods
2
In this study, 50 healthy participants underwent acupuncture at the Zusanli (ST36) point under three different attention states, with a 7-day washout period between each intervention. EOG signals and Deqi sensations were recorded using a self-developed device and the Chinese modified version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MMASS).The intensity of the Deqi sensations and the EOG signals D
2
under th
e three attention states, and correlation analysis between the two were compared. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of D
2
for the outcome of Deqi.
Results
2
①The MASS index, soreness, and fullness sensations in attention state Ⅰ were significantly higher than those in state Ⅱ(
P
<
0.05) and state Ⅲ(
P
<
0.05). Throbbing and other needling sensations were significantly higher in attention state I than in state Ⅲ(
P
<
0.05). The contour analysis showed that the sensations of soreness, numbness, fullness, and heaviness exhibited parallel contours across the three attention states (
F
=0.916,
P
=0.484
>
0.05), with no overlap between states (
F
=5.804,
P
<
0.01). Pain, pressure, dull pain, and tingling sensations also showed parallel contours across the three attention states (
F
=0.608,
P
=0.484
>
0.05), with overlapping contours between states (
F
=10.812,
P
>
0.05). ②In attention state Ⅰ, D
2
level was significantly lower than that in state Ⅱ(
P
<
0.05) and state Ⅲ (
P
<
0.05), and D
2
level in attention state Ⅱ was also significantly lower than that in state Ⅲ(
P
<
0.05). ③Correlation analysis showed a weak negative correlation between D
2
and sensations of soreness (
P
<
0.01,
r
=-0.31), tingling (
P
<
0.05,
r
=-0.19), and numbness (
P
<
0.05,
r
=-0.17). A moderate negative correlation was found between D
2
and the sensations of fullness (
P
<
0.01,
r
=-0.43), and the MASS index (
P
<
0.01,
r
=-0.41). ④The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of D
2
for predicting outcomes of Deqi was 0.804, with a critical D
2
value of 1.90 as the threshold for Deqi prediction. The sensitivity was 85.2%, and the specificity was 64.3%.
Conclusions
2
The improvement in Deqi sensation may be related to the participants' attention being focused on the "treating the spirit" state throughout the acupuncture process. Additionally, using D
2
characteristics of EOG signals to predict Deqi outcomes is feasible and demonstrates good predictive performance, offering a potential new method for clinicians to assess "Deqi".
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