Table 1 Characteristics of six acupuncture randomized controlled trials with equivocal results
From: Real world research: a complementary method to establish the effectiveness of acupuncture
Trials | Conditions | Interventions | Controls | Sample size | Outcomes | Results | Practitioner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brinkhaus B 2006 [9] | chronic low back pain | verum acupuncture | (1) minimal acupuncture; (2) waiting list | 298 | pain intensity (VAS), back function*, PDI, depression, QOL(SF-36), emotional aspects of pain, pain medication use | Significant difference between acupuncture and no treatment. No difference between acupuncture and minimal acupuncture. | specialized acupuncture physician |
Haake M 2007 [10] | chronic low back pain | verum acupuncture | (1) sham acupuncture; (2) CT | 1162 | treatment response†, responder rate‡, adverse events | Significant difference between acupuncture and conventional therapy. No difference between acupuncture and sham. | experienced physician |
Cherkin DC 2009 [11] | chronic low back pain | (1) individualized acupuncture; (2) standardized acupuncture | (3) simulated acupuncture; (4) CT | 638 | dysfunction(RDQ), symptom(bothersome score), physical and mental health(SF-36), loss of days, medication use, adverse events | Significant difference between acupuncture and conventional therapy. No difference between acupuncture and sham. | experienced acupuncturist |
Vas J 2012 [12] | acute low back pain | verum acupuncture plus CT | (1) sham acupuncture plus CT; (2) placebo acupuncture plus CT; (3) CT | 275 | clinical improvement (RMQ), disability (RMQ), pain intensity(VAS), SEE, adverse events | Significant difference between acupuncture and no treatment. No difference between acupuncture and sham or placebo. | experienced physician |
Macklin EA 2006 [13] | moderate essential hypertension | (1) individualized acupuncture; (2) standardized acupuncture | sham acupuncture | 192 | blood pressure, QOL, antihypertensive medication use, adverse events | No significant difference between acupuncture and sham. | licensed acupuncturist |
Enblom A 2012 [14] | radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting | verum acupuncture plus CT | sham acupuncture plus CT | 215 | nausea and vomiting§, SEE, adverse events | Acupuncture was effective for nausea, but no difference between acupuncture and sham. | experienced physiotherapist |