Introducing a placebo needle into acupuncture research

Author(s): Streitberger, K., Kleinhenz, J.

Journal/Book: Lancet. 1998; 352(9125): 364-365.

Abstract: Background A problem acupuncture research has to face is the concept of a control group. If, in control groups, non-acupoint needling is done, physiological acupuncture effects are implied. Therefore the effects shown in this group are often close to those shown in the acupuncture group. In other trials, control groups have received obviously different treatments, such as transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation or TENS-laser treatment; it is not clea r if the effects of acupuncture are due only to the psychological effects of the treatment. the placebo needle feels any different from real acupuncture. th placebo. None of the volunteers suspected that the needle may not have penetrated the skin. Interpretation The placebo needle is sufficiently credible to be used in investigations of the effects of acupuncture.

Keyword(s): placebo. aku forsch. aku ks

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