A pilot study of acupuncture for tension headache, using a novel placebo

摘要: Summary Tension headache is common, and treatment with acupuncture frequently recommended, although the evidence of its effectiveness contradictory. This small, randomised, controlled trial was designed as a pilot to test procedures in preparation for multi-centre investigating effect tension headache. Ten volunteers suffering from episodic, tension-type were recruited by local newspaper articles. Patients randomised receive either brief needling tender areas or selected traditional points (Group A), pressure cocktail stick supported within guide tube defined, non-tender non-acupuncture B). The patients9 view sites obstructed so that no indication could be gained which form being given. Throughout period trial, duration, frequency intensity headaches recorded, mean weekly index calculated. There difference between changes two groups, comparing scores before after treatment. However, Group A experienced considerably higher number headache-free weeks than B. credibility tested using standard questionnaire “final verdict”. One subject B concluded she had not received genuine acupuncture, but overall there statistical groups.