Table 3

Comparison of frequency of sensations between acupuncture and tactile stimulation at each acupoint

Acupuncture
 Tactile stimulation
 Fisher's
Sensations
 N
 %
 SE
 N
 %
 SE
 p
LI4, N = 16






Aching
 12
 75.0
 10.8
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.0001
Soreness
 12
 75.0
 10.8
 3
 18.8
 9.8
 0.0019
Pressure
 8
 50.0
 12.5
 3
 18.8
 9.8
 0.07
Heaviness
 6
 37.5
 12.1
 2
 12.5
 8.3
 0.11
Fullness
 5
 31.3
 11.6
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.09
Warm
 5
 31.3
 11.6
 -
 -
 -
 0.02
Cool
 3
 18.8
 9.8
 2
 12.5
 8.3
 0.5
Numbness
 7
 43.8
 12.4
 3
 18.8
 9.8
 0.1
Tingling
 11
 68.8
 11.6
 6
 37.5
 12.1
 0.08
Dull Pain
 7
 43.8
 12.4
 -
 -
 -
 0.003
ST36, N = 16






Aching
 9
 56.3
 12.4
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.003
Soreness
 7
 43.8
 13.8
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.02
Pressure
 8
 50.0
 12.5
 2
 12.5
 8.3
 0.03
Heaviness
 4
 25.0
 10.8
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.2
Fullness
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Warm
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.8
Cool
 2
 12.5
 8.3
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.5
Numbness
 6
 37.5
 13.8
 2
 12.5
 8.3
 0.1
Tingling
 8
 50.0
 12.5
 3
 18.8
 9.8
 0.07
Dull Pain
 6
 37.5
 12.1
 1
 6.3
 6.1
 0.04
LV3, N = 13






Aching
 7
 53.9
 13.8
 -
 -
 -
 0.003
Soreness
 6
 46.2
 12.5
 -
 -
 -
 0.008
Pressure
 7
 53.9
 13.8
 -
 -
 -
 0.003
Heaviness
 2
 15.4
 10.0
 -
 -
 -
 0.2
Fullness
 2
 15.4
 10.0
 -
 -
 -
 0.2
Warm
 4
 30.8
 12.8
 -
 -
 -
 0.05
Cool
 2
 15.4
 10.0
 1
 7.7
 7.4
 0.5
Numbness
 5
 38.5
 13.5
 -
 -
 -
 0.02
Tingling
 7
 53.9
 13.8
 2
 15.4
 10.1
 0.05
Dull Pain
 1
 7.7
 7.4
 -
 -
 -
 0.5

Individual points demonstrated overall similarity with minor variations in the frequency of sensations between acupuncture and tactile stimulation. Aching, soreness, warmth and dull pain were significantly more frequent in acupuncture than in tactile stimulation for LI4; aching, soreness, pressure and dull pain for ST36; aching, soreness, pressure, warmth, numbness and tingling for LV3. SE = Standard Error

Hui et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2007 7:33   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-7-33