title: Factors contributing to therapeutic effects evaluated in acupuncture clinical trials.
abstract: Acupuncture treatment has been widely used for many conditions, while results of the increasing numbers of randomized trials and systematic reviews remain controversial. Acupuncture is a complex intervention of both specific and non-specific factors associated with therapeutic benefit. Apart from needle insertion, issues such as needling sensation, psychological factors, acupoint specificity, acupuncture manipulation, and needle duration also have relevant influences on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Taking these factors into consideration would have considerable implications for the design and interpretation of clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China.
authors.forename: Guang-Xia
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xiao-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Cun-Zhi
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lin-Peng
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D010919:Placebos; D012107:Research Design; D012677:Sensation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos