Although De-qi sensation induced by acupuncture stimulation has been considered one of the conditions for good acupuncture effects, its physiological significance has not been clarified. Therefore, we examined the influence of De-qi sensation on the central nervous system (CNS) by measuring the event-related potential (ERP) induced by acupuncture stimulation.
Tests were conducted on nine healthy adult males. Acupuncture stimulation was given to these subjects, and ERPs were collected from three locations of the head, Fz, Cz, and Pz, using both ear lobes as reference electrodes. For control data, surface electric stimulation was given to the same subjects and ERPs were collected from the same locations. Acupuncture stimuli or electric stimuli were given to the left-side LI10 32 times at random intervals of 4 to 7 sec. To analyze ERPs, ERPs in response to 32 trials were averaged using a DP 1100 system (a signal processor made by NEC SANEI, LTD.).
The latency of the ERP triggered by acupuncture stimulation was approximately P350msec, while that of the ERP triggered by electric stimulation was found to be approximately P250msec, resulting in a difference of P100msec. These results suggest that the De-qi sensation induced by acupuncture stimulation may strongly influence the CNS functions, especially the processing recognition of CNS. It is suggested that this acupuncture stimuli related potential may not be p-LPC.

A questionnaire survey and patch testing on skin disorders were conducted on 20 chrysanthemum growers (15 males and 5 females) in the Kohoku district of Shiga Prefecture in order to clarify the etiology and make a plan for prevention. The results were as follows;
1) Thirteen subjects suffered from skin disorders and 8 of them had contacted dermatitis since they started the cultivation of chrysanthemum.
2) It was suggested that the skin disorders might be associated with such types of work as “lower -leaves pruning, ” “harvesting” and “shipping, ” during which they were closely in contact with chrysanthemum. However, our survey found that most the subjects paid less attention to chrysanthemum than pesticides to prevent skin disorders.
3) The patch test found 10 out of the 13 subjects who had suffered from skin disorders manifested sensitization reactions to chrysanthemum or pesticides and 7 of them to both.
Dermatologically, the disorders were diagnosed as allergic contact dermatitis caused by chrythanthemum or pesticides, but it was difficult to clarify which was the main factor of contact dermatitis.
4) In order to prevent contact dermatitis among chrythanthemum growers, hygienic education on the sensitizing activity of chrysanthemum and guidance on effective protection against chrysanthemum and pesticides are needed.