Blinding Measured : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture
Joint Authors
Freed, Brian
Moroz, Alex
Howell, Melanie
Bang, Heejung
Tiedemann, Laura
Park, Jongbae J.
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-03-03
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
There is no agreement among researchers on viable controls for acupuncture treatment, and the assessment of the effectiveness of blinding and its interpretation is rare.
Purpose.
To systematically assess the effectiveness of blinding (EOB) in reported acupuncture trials; to explore results of RCTs using a quantitative measure of EOB.
Data Sources.
A systematic review of published sham RCTs that assessed blinding.
Study Selection.
Five hundred and ninety studies were reviewed, and 54 studies (4783 subjects) were included.
Data Extraction.
The number of patients who guessed their treatment identity was extracted from each study.
Variables with possible influence on blinding were identified.
Data Synthesis.
The blinding index was calculated for each study.
Based on blinding indexes, studies were congregated into one of the nine blinding scenarios.
Individual study characteristics were explored for potential association with EOB.
Limitations.
There is a possibility of publication or reporting bias.
Conclusions.
The most common scenario was that the subjects believed they received verum acupuncture regardless of the actual treatment received, and overall the subject blinding in the acupuncture studies was satisfactory, with 61% of study participants maintaining ideal blinding.
Objectively calculated blinding data may offer meaningful and systematic ways to further interpret the findings of RCTs.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Moroz, Alex& Freed, Brian& Tiedemann, Laura& Bang, Heejung& Howell, Melanie& Park, Jongbae J.. 2013. Blinding Measured : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-492234
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Moroz, Alex…[et al.]. Blinding Measured : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-492234
American Medical Association (AMA)
Moroz, Alex& Freed, Brian& Tiedemann, Laura& Bang, Heejung& Howell, Melanie& Park, Jongbae J.. Blinding Measured : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-492234
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-492234