Bmc Complem Altern M
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Nov 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Controlled Clinical TrialAcupuncture in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind controlled pilot study.
In planning a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture, we conducted a pilot study using validated outcome measures to assess the feasibility of the protocol, and to obtain preliminary data on efficacy and tolerability of 3 different forms of acupuncture treatment as an adjunct for the treatment of chronic pain in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ This pilot study has allowed a number of recommendations to be made to facilitate the design of a large-scale trial, which in turn will help to clarify the existing evidence base on acupuncture for RA.