Deqisensation is believed to be important in clinical efficacy according to TCM theory. The measuring method ofDeqisensation has significant implications for the result of research trials. This study makes an investigation on acupuncture-experienced patients and expert acupuncturists in China and aims to find out the patient’s needling sensations and acupuncturist’s sensations which can be acceptable as descriptors ofDeqisensation, so as to provide foundation for more systematic and sensitive quantitative evaluation method ofDeqisensation. Results of this survey indicated that theDeqisensation noted by both patient and acupuncturist is equally important to the treatment efficacy. It is found that there are some differences between the patients’ real-life experience and the acupuncturists’ expectations on patients’Deqisensation. The “dull pain,” “aching,” “sore,” “numb,” “distended,” “heavy,” “electric,” “throbbing,” “warmness,” “coolness,” “spreading,” and “radiating” can be considered as the main manifestations ofDeqisensations. The acupuncturists believed thatDeqisensations were mainly “pulling,” “tight,” and “throbbing.” We suggest developing a questionnaire measuring theDeqisensations which includes both the sensations of the patient and acupuncturist, and this would be very important and necessary for a better understanding of the relationship betweenDeqisensation and acupuncture effects in future studies.
143Communication With Older Chinese Patients on Advance Directives: Real Life Experience and Predictive Factors of Successful Acceptance
