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Developing a research strategy for acupuncture

Developing a research strategy for acupuncture
Developing a research strategy for acupuncture
This strategic overview revisits some of the basic assumptions that relate to the clinical evaluation of acupuncture. We look at the evidence available to estimate both the specific and nonspecific effect size of acupuncture (efficacy and effectiveness) and consider the placebo within acupuncture trials, as well as the value of both placebo controlled trials and pragmatic acupuncture studies. We argue for an augmented, mixed methodology that integrates basic mechanism studies, including modern imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance, quantitative and qualitative research, as well as safety and health economic data to obtain a more rigorous understanding of acupuncture. We hope that by taking a broad, patient-centered, and rigorous approach we may arrive at a realistic and thoughtful evaluation of its relative value in comparison to placebo treatment, conventional medicine, and its potential for integration into conventional clinical care.
research support, qualitative research, review, outcome assessment (health care), safety, research, acupuncture therapy, acupuncture, humans, evidence-based medicine, health, methods, treatment
0749-8047
632-638
Lewith, George T.
0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625
White, Peter J.
24f5a5d7-00ec-4450-83b8-05d8755e413a
Kaptchuk, Ted J.
6cd4a592-d697-4fed-8eaf-980b2e5f860d
Lewith, George T.
0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625
White, Peter J.
24f5a5d7-00ec-4450-83b8-05d8755e413a
Kaptchuk, Ted J.
6cd4a592-d697-4fed-8eaf-980b2e5f860d

Lewith, George T., White, Peter J. and Kaptchuk, Ted J. (2006) Developing a research strategy for acupuncture. Clinical Journal of Pain, 22 (7), 632-638.

Record type: Article

Abstract

This strategic overview revisits some of the basic assumptions that relate to the clinical evaluation of acupuncture. We look at the evidence available to estimate both the specific and nonspecific effect size of acupuncture (efficacy and effectiveness) and consider the placebo within acupuncture trials, as well as the value of both placebo controlled trials and pragmatic acupuncture studies. We argue for an augmented, mixed methodology that integrates basic mechanism studies, including modern imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance, quantitative and qualitative research, as well as safety and health economic data to obtain a more rigorous understanding of acupuncture. We hope that by taking a broad, patient-centered, and rigorous approach we may arrive at a realistic and thoughtful evaluation of its relative value in comparison to placebo treatment, conventional medicine, and its potential for integration into conventional clinical care.

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More information

Published date: September 2006
Keywords: research support, qualitative research, review, outcome assessment (health care), safety, research, acupuncture therapy, acupuncture, humans, evidence-based medicine, health, methods, treatment
Organisations: Community Clinical Sciences, Medicine

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 61923
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/61923
ISSN: 0749-8047
PURE UUID: 78010839-3ade-4764-b75d-e60dfc5b8b72

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 09 Sep 2008
Last modified: 07 Jan 2022 22:35

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Contributors

Author: George T. Lewith
Author: Peter J. White
Author: Ted J. Kaptchuk

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