Journal of internal medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of acupuncture in moderate, stable angina pectoris: a controlled study.
In order to evaluate the effects of acupuncture in moderate, stable angina pectoris, 49 patients were randomized to either genuine or sham acupuncture. In sham acupuncture needles were inserted into points within the same spinal segment as in genuine acupuncture, but outside the Chinese meridian system. The effect was evaluated from exercise tests, anginal attack rate and nitroglycerin consumption. ⋯ No significant changes were observed in patients receiving sham acupuncture. Within both groups there was a median reduction of 50% in anginal attack rate and nitroglycerin consumption, and there was no significant difference between the results achieved in the two groups. It is concluded that with the present design it was not possible to demonstrate any significant differences between the effect of genuine and sham acupuncture.
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In the county of Klaksvik, the Faroes, a simple hand test was used for screening all inhabitants between the ages of 40 and 74 years. With its high sensitivity and specificity it revealed a diagnostic panorama entirely different from that seen in previous investigations in other nordic countries. ⋯ The high functional capacity and the lower occurrence of rheumatic nodules and erosions found in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared with previous studies suggest that the disease takes a milder course in Klaksvik. This should support the hypothesis that RA patients benefit from a diet rich in fish.