Placebo Acupuncture Devices : Considerations for Acupuncture Research

Joint Authors

Zhu, Dan
Gao, Ying
Chang, Jingling
Kong, Jian

Source

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Issue

Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-9, 9 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2013-06-06

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

9

Main Subjects

Medicine

Abstract EN

Determining an appropriate control for use in acupuncture research remains one of the largest methodological challenges acupuncture researchers face.

In general, acupuncture controls fall under one of two categories: (1) sham acupuncture, in which the skin is punctured with real acupuncture needles either fully at nonacupoint locations or shallowly at acupoint locations or both and (2) placebo acupuncture, which utilizes nonpenetrating acupuncture devices.

In this study, we will focus on non-penetrating placebo acupuncture devices (blunted-needle and nonneedle devices) that are currently available in acupuncture research.

We will describe each device and discuss each device’s validation and application in previous studies.

In addition, we will outline the advantages and disadvantages of these devices and highlight how the differences among placebo devices can be used to isolate distinct components of acupuncture treatment and investigate their effects.

We would like to emphasize that there is no single placebo device that can serve as the best control for all acupuncture studies; the choice of an acupuncture control should be determined by the specific aim of the study.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Zhu, Dan& Gao, Ying& Chang, Jingling& Kong, Jian. 2013. Placebo Acupuncture Devices : Considerations for Acupuncture Research. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-486430

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Zhu, Dan…[et al.]. Placebo Acupuncture Devices : Considerations for Acupuncture Research. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-486430

American Medical Association (AMA)

Zhu, Dan& Gao, Ying& Chang, Jingling& Kong, Jian. Placebo Acupuncture Devices : Considerations for Acupuncture Research. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-486430

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-486430