Background. Development of non-deqi control is still a challenge.This study aims to set up a potential approach to non-deqi control\r\nby using lidocaine anesthesia at ST36. Methods. Forty healthy volunteers were recruited and they received two fMRI scans. One was\r\naccompanied with manual acupuncture at ST36 (DQ group), and another was associated with both local anesthesia and manual\r\nacupuncture at the same acupoint (LAgroup). Results.Comparing toDQgroup,more than90 percent deqi sensations were reduced\r\nby local anesthesia in LA group. The mainly activated regions in DQ group were bilateral IFG, S1, primary motor cortex, IPL,\r\nthalamus, insula, claustrum, cingulate gyrus, putamen, superior temporal gyrus, and cerebellum. Surprisingly only cerebellum\r\nshowed significant activation in LA group. Compared to the two groups, bilateral S1, insula, ipsilateral IFG, IPL, claustrum, and\r\ncontralateral ACC were remarkably activated. Conclusions. Local anesthesia at ST36 is able to block most of the deqi feelings and\r\ninhibit brain responses to deqi, which would be developed into a potential approach for non-deqi control. Bilateral S1, insula,\r\nipsilateral IFG, IPL, claustrum, and contralateral ACC might be the key brain regions responding to deqi.
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