Needling Sensations following Real and Placebo Acupuncture – a randomised single-blinded two-period cross-over pilot study –

Abstract

BackgroundPlacebo needles are accepted as the gold standard for the control in acupuncture research. Credibility is one of the essential factors which influence the placebo response. The needling sensations of the real and placebo needles may have a decisive influence on credibility. The aim of the study was therefore to test these sensations from a placebo needle compared to those of real acupuncture. Methods10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this cross-over pilot study. In each period of the study 5 volunteers were treated with a placebo needle and 5 with a normal acupuncture needle. The LI 4 (Hegu) acupuncture point was selected for bilateral treatment and the needles stayed in place for 15 minutes. Placebo and real needles were manipulated for a short time by rotating the needles in both directions. The interval between the two periods of the study was one week. After each treatment session the volunteers had to guess which treatment condition they had received and filled in a questionnaire which assessed the pricking sensation (intensity), quality and spread of the deqi sensation. The extent of the different sensations was rated on a Verbal Rating Scale (1–10). ResultsThree volunteers receiving real acupuncture and two receiving placebo correctly identified the form of treatment. Four volunteers in the first session and five in the second session could not decide how they had been treated. No significant difference between placebo and real treatments was detected in any of the variables examined which were related to needle sensation (unpaired t-test, p-value > 0.05). ConclusionsBased on the findings of this trial, the tested placebo needle might be a suitable control condition for acupuncture trials.A study with a larger sample size is warrented to confirm the present findings.