Complexity of acupuncture clinical research demonstrated by three well-known acupuncture clinical studies

Abstract

Three discoveries in modern acupuncture,namely Kongzui(LU6) to treat hemorrhoids,needling from Yingxiang(LI20) through Sibai(ST2) to control the pain of biliary ascariasis,and needling from Tiaokou(ST38) through Chengshan(BL57) to relieve shoulder pain,have had a significant influence on acupuncture textbooks and acupuncture clinics during the past half century.The newly found conclusive evidence presented herein shows that these discoveries are completely incorrect or far from truly novel findings.This demonstrates the complexity of acupuncture clinical research,including research methodology challenges.We also identify the main problems of the design of acupuncture clinical trials,especially those published in famous international medical journals,and offer solutions to these problems.