Introducing a placebo needle into acupuncture research.

摘要: Summary Background A problem acupuncture research has to face is the concept of a control group. If, in groups, non-acupoint needling done, physiological effects are implied. Therefore shown this group often close those In other trials, groups have received obviously different treatments, such as transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation or TENS-laser treatment; it not clear if due only psychological treatment. Methods We developed placebo needle, with which should be possible simulate an procedure without penetrating skin. cross-over experiment 60 volunteers we tested whether needle feels any from real acupuncture. Findings Of volunteers, 54 felt penetration (mean visual analogue scale [VAS] 13·4; SD 10·58) and 47 (VAS 8·86; 10·55), 34 dull pain sensation (DEQI) 13 placebo. None suspected that may penetrated Interpretation The sufficiently credible used investigations