Based on the conclusion of recent clinical research conducted by foreign countries, there is no statistical difference in outcomes between real and placebo acupuncture. This paper analyzes the weaknesses of methods currently being used by foreign countries to compare the effects of real and placebo acupuncture, striving for a new way to test for the placebo effect; a way that is more scientific, more suitable for the current conditions of China, while at the same time capable of being recognized internationally. This paper describes a new acupuncture placebo-controlled method. Under the condition of complete patient trust, we may ensure an ideal placebo effect to the greatest extent by minimizing the potential curative effects in the placebo group. From the actual clinical practice, by randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture and medicine, using the concept as the double-dummy clinical trail, this paper explores the “double-dummy – non-specific sites – random sampling” method in the clinical setting as a way to form a new acupuncture clinical research model of comparison between acupuncture and medicine.
Citation： LIU Huilin,ZHANG Yan,LI Jingdao,CHENG Peng,WANG Linpeng. Design and Practice of Acupuncture Placebo-controlled Method in Clinical Studies of Acupuncture. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2008, 08(12): 1133-1135. doi: 10.7507/1672-2531.20080245 Copy