Sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture in clinical trials.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20221226-k0001
- Author:
Xiao-Yu LIU
1
;
Shi-Yan YAN
2
;
Bao-Yan LIU
3
Author Information
1. College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of TCM, Tianjin 301617, China.
2. College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of CM, Beijing
3. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
blinding;
clinical trials;
control;
placebo acupuncture;
sham acupuncture
- MeSH:
Humans;
Acupuncture Therapy;
Needles;
Research Personnel;
Clinical Trials as Topic
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2023;43(7):821-824
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The commonly used terms "sham acupuncture" and "placebo acupuncture" in clinical acupuncture research is compared and analyzed in this article. In terms of their respective characteristics, sham acupuncture has a wider scope, including various types of acupoints, needle insertion at non-acupoint or non-insertion at acupoints, while placebo acupuncture mainly focuses on non-insertion at acupoints. Sham acupuncture mainly emphasizes the appearance similarity to real acupuncture, while placebo acupuncture emphasizes both similarity in appearance and the absence of therapeutic effects. Properly distinguishing and applying sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture can help standardize their usage in terminology. Considering the difficulty in setting up qualified placebo acupuncture, it is suggested that researchers use the term "sham acupuncture" to describe the acupuncture control methods used in clinical research.
