Acupuncture for tennis elbow: an E-mail consensus study to define a standardised treatment in a GPs' surgery.
Acupuncture is a possible alternative treatment for tennis elbow in general practice. Rigorous investigation of its effectiveness is needed by means of a randomised controlled trial. Before undertaking a trial, a consensus is required on the best treatment protocol. Therefore, a modified Delphi Process was undertaken by e-mail, consisting in three iterative rounds. Fourteen acupuncture trainers initially reported details of their normal treatment that were then incorporated into a treatment plan. This was circulated once for further suggestions and finally for agreement. Consensus was achieved from all 14 participants who responded to the third round.
Webster-Harrison
Philip
P
Port View Surgery, Saltash, Cornwall, UK. pjwh@globalnet.co.uk
White
Adrian
A
Rae
Jonny
J
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000628:therapy*