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A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture
Joint Authors
Colagiuri, Ben
Smith, Caroline A.
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-11-14
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture often find equivalent responses to real and placebo acupuncture despite both appearing superior to no treatment.
This raises questions regarding the mechanisms of acupuncture, especially the contribution of patient expectancies.
We systematically reviewed previous research assessing the relationship between expectancy and treatment responses following acupuncture, whether real or placebo.
To be included, studies needed to assess and/or manipulate expectancies about acupuncture and relate these to at least one health-relevant outcome.
Nine such independent studies were identified through systematic searches of Medline, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register.
The methodology and reporting of these studies were quite heterogeneous, meaning that meta-analysis was not possible.
A descriptive review revealed that five studies found statistically significant effects of expectancy on a least one outcome, with three also finding evidence suggestive of an interaction between expectancy and type of acupuncture (real or placebo).
While there were some trends in significant effects in terms of study characteristics, their generality is limited by the heterogeneity of study designs.
The differences in design across studies highlight some important methodological considerations for future research in this area, particularly regarding whether to assess or manipulate expectancies and how best to assess expectancies.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Colagiuri, Ben& Smith, Caroline A.. 2011. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992718
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Colagiuri, Ben& Smith, Caroline A.. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992718
American Medical Association (AMA)
Colagiuri, Ben& Smith, Caroline A.. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-992718
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-992718