The credibility of placebo controls in acupuncture studies

Author(s): Lewith, G.

Abstract: Objective: Credible placebo/controls are an essential element of randomized, controlled trials of acupuncture. This study evaluates the credibility of real acupuncture, sham acupuncture and mock TENS as treatments for vasomotor rhinitis. Setting: Ttwenty one patients with vasomotor rhinitis were entered from the Department of Medicine, Southampton University Medicla School. Design: Each patient received each of these three treatments (real acupuncture, sham acupuncture and mock TENS) in random order and the credibility of these interventions was assessed utilising previously validated questionnaires. Outcome: Sham acupuncture and mock TENS appeared to be equivalently credible as placebo/controls. After vompletion of all three treatments, real acupuncture was more likely to be 'recommended to a freind'. Conclusion: This is a small pilot study which suggests that both sham acupuncture and mock TENS are equally credible placebo/controls.

Zurück | Weiter