Data from: Retrospective study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure depths of acupuncture points in neck and shoulder region

Objectives: There are safety issues associated with acupuncture treatment.
Previous studies regarding needling depth of acupuncture points revealed
inconsistent results due to vague depth definition, acupuncture point
localisation and measuring tools. The objective of this study is to find
and compare the differences of the mean depths of 11 acupuncture points in
the neck and shoulder region between subjects, with variables including
gender and body mass index (BMI). Setting: This study was conducted at a
single medical center in Taiwan. Participants: Three hundred and
ninety-four participants were included in this study. Participants were
grouped according to gender and BMI. Acupuncture points were localised by
WHO standard and measured by MRI. Outcome measures: The distance from the
needle insertion point (surface of the skin) to any tissues that would
cause possible/severe complications. Results: Mean depths of 11 points
were obtained in groups of different BMI and gender. Mean depths of all
participants regardless of BMI and gender are as follows, in centimetres:
GB21=5.6, SI14=5.2, SI15=8.8, GV15=4.9, GV16=4.6, GB20=5.0, ST9=1.6,
SI16=1.8, SI17=2.4, TE16=3.1, LI18=1.3. Participants with higher BMI had
greater measured depths in both gender groups. Male participants had
larger mean depths than female participants regardless of BMI except in
SI17 and LI18. When taking BMI into consideration, depths in male
participants are greater than in female participants in most of the points
except the following: GB21, TE16 in obesity group; ST9 in underweight and
obesity group; SI16 in ideal body weight, overweight and obesity group;
SI17, LI18 in each group. Conclusions: Participants with higher BMI had
greater measured depths and males tended to have greater depths in most of
the points. Clinical practitioners are recommended to consider this
information to prevent complications when applying acupuncture treatment
to their patients.

研究目的：针灸治疗存在相关安全性隐患。既往针对穴位针刺深度的相关研究，因深度定义模糊、穴位定位标准不统一及测量工具存在差异，所得结果不尽一致。本研究旨在探究并比较颈肩部11个穴位的平均针刺深度在不同受试者间的差异，纳入的分组变量包括性别与身体质量指数（Body Mass Index, BMI）。
研究实施地点：本研究于中国台湾地区的单一医疗中心开展。
研究对象：本研究共纳入394名受试者，按性别与BMI进行分组。穴位定位采用世界卫生组织（World Health Organization, WHO）制定的标准，通过磁共振成像（Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI）完成深度测量。
结局指标：以进针点（皮肤表面）至可能引发潜在或严重并发症的组织之间的距离作为结局指标。
研究结果：本研究获取了不同BMI与性别分组下11个穴位的平均针刺深度。不分性别与BMI的全体受试者的各穴位平均深度（单位：厘米）如下：GB21=5.6、SI14=5.2、SI15=8.8、GV15=4.9、GV16=4.6、GB20=5.0、ST9=1.6、SI16=1.8、SI17=2.4、TE16=3.1、LI18=1.3。无论BMI水平如何，BMI更高的受试者的实测针刺深度均更大。除SI17与LI18外，无论BMI如何，男性受试者的平均针刺深度均大于女性受试者。在按BMI分层分析后，多数穴位的男性受试者实测深度均大于女性受试者，例外情况包括：肥胖组的GB21、TE16；体重过轻组与肥胖组的ST9；理想体重、超重及肥胖组的SI16；各分组的SI17、LI18。
研究结论：BMI更高的受试者实测针刺深度更大，且多数穴位的男性受试者深度普遍更高。建议临床针灸从业者在为患者实施针灸治疗时，参考本研究结果以规避并发症风险。