ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLING TORQUE SENSOR

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Acupuncture needle rotation (uni-or bi-directional) results in winding of connective tissue around the needle and increased resistance to further axial needle movements (such as lifting and thrusting). This biomechanical phenomenon, termed "needle grasp", is a component of the characteristic "de qi" response widely viewed as key to acupuncture's therapeutic effect. During needle rotation, the torque required to continue rotation progressively increases. Acupuncturists feel for this change in needle torque as they manipulate the needle. The perception of needle torque therefore constitutes an important form of tactile feedback used by acupuncturists to determine whether "de qi" has been achieved. Responding to this feedback by appropriate adjustments in needle technique is thought to be an important component of an acupuncturist's skill. An instrument capable of objectively measuring needle torque would have important applications in acupuncture research, teaching, and practice providing: A means for delivering reproducible needling procedures during acupuncture research, allowing control over the extent of needling stimulus delivered. An objective measure of needle manipulation technique so that students can compare their technique directly to that of their instructor. This would alleviate one of the major challenges in acupuncture education, which is to communicate to the student how much needle manipulation is "just right" for a given patient. A means for objectively comparing the wide variety of needling techniques currently in practice. This should lead to an improved understanding of the relative benefits of these various techniques. A permanent record of torque so that a patient's response to treatments can be monitored over time. Our overall goal in this grant is to develop and test a simple hand-held sensor capable of making such objective needle torque measurements.