Has Basic Acupuncture Research Met the Gold Standard of Science?

Abstract

Background: The gold standard in testing scientific theory requires multiple independent prospective tests. This standard was applied to basic acupuncture research. Objectives: To test whether basic acupuncture research has met the gold standard of science. Data Sources: Literature search and review of publications in MEDLINE and Chinese medical literature databases were combined with discussion with many experts to identify and analyze the models in basic acupuncture research that have predictions. These predictions were further checked for independent confirmation by multiple research groups. Results: The growth control model is the only published model in basic acupuncture research that has met the gold standard. It suggests that the Meridian system is a macroscopic growth control system originated from a network of organizers in embryogenesis. Several phenomena of acupuncture such as the distribution of auricular acupuncture points, the long-term effects of acupuncture, and the effect of multimodal nonspecific stimulation at acupuncture points are consistent with the growth control model. Multiple predictions of the growth control model have been independently confirmed by research results in both acupuncture and conventional biomedical sciences. Conclusions: Current acupuncture research suggests a convergence of the neurophysiology model, the connective tissue model, and the growth control model. The growth control model of acupuncture set the first example of a biological model in integrative medicine with significant prediction power across multiple disciplines. This area of basic acupuncture research has met the gold standard of science with multiple independently confirmed predictions.