title: High-velocity insertion of acupuncture needle is related to lower level of pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the effects of different acupuncture insertion velocities.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed as a within-subject design to control for individual differences. The biomechanical properties of needle insertion and accompanying subjective acupuncture perception was compared between different insertion velocities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The setting for this study was the laboratory of acupuncture meridian and functional neurology, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen (16) healthy volunteers participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An acupuncture needle was inserted to the acupoint LI4 by an acupuncture needle insertion device (ANI-KY) at high or low speed of needle insertion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biomechanical properties such as force and depth were measured online by sensors equipped with the ANI-KY device. Participants filled out a questionnaire about acupuncture sensation or perception.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acupuncture needle insertion at a higher velocity was linked with higher maximum power, lower level of pain, and de qi-like perceptions such as "compressing" and "heavy" (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that needle insertion velocity might be a factor for controlling inadvertent pain during the acupuncture needling process and that biomechanical properties of needling may be related to acupuncture perception or sensation.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of South Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Shik
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Ju-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hi-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D019413:Qi; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires