Complementary therapies in medicine
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Complement Ther Med · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialNon-penetrating sham needle, is it an adequate sham control in acupuncture research?
This study aimed to determine whether a non-penetrating sham needle can serve as an adequate sham control. ⋯ A non-penetrating sham needle may successfully blind participants and thus, may be a credible sham control. However, the small sample size, the different needle sensations, and the degree and direction of unblinding across acupuncture points warrant further studies in Korea as well as other countries to confirm our finding. Our results also justify the incorporation of formal testing of the use of sham controls in clinical trials of acupuncture.
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Complement Ther Med · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialAssessment of a traditional acupuncture therapy for chronic neck pain: a pilot randomised controlled study.
This study is aimed to assess the efficacy of traditional acupuncture for chronic neck pain in patients by comparing the differences in symptoms, dysfunctions and quality of life. ⋯ Traditional acupuncture can relieve pain intensity and improve the quality of daily life with a relative long-term clinical efficacy in patients with chronic neck pain.
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Complement Ther Med · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of biomechanical properties between acupuncture and non-penetrating sham needle.
A non-penetrating sham needle has been considered as a reliable control treatment in the field of acupuncture research. However, some concerns with regard to the credibility of sham needles have also been raised. We investigated whether there were differences in biomechanical properties and acupuncture sensation ratings in the process of needling between verum acupuncture (VA) and sham acupuncture (SA). ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that differential biomechanical forces such as insertion and pullout force contribute to the sensation of real and non-penetrating sham needles.