Acupuncture versus Placebo for the Treatment of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

White, Peter; Lewith, George; Prescott, P.; Conway, Joy

doi:10.7326/0003-4819-141-12-200412210-00007

Cited by 163 publications

(115 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In 1 of these RCTs (44), the sham involved patch electrodes that used mock electrical stimulation and were attached to the same 4 knee points used in the true acupuncture group. Because no needles were used, patients randomly assigned to the sham group probably did not believe that they were receiving traditional acupuncture, although they may have believed that they were receiving a credible treatment (54). In the other RCT that found large, clinically relevant benefits of acupuncture (46), the sham needles did not penetrate the skin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analysis: Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

et al. 2007

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analysis: Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

et al. 2007

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“…In addition, other studies have shown that acupuncture has not been more effective than placebo in reducing chronic neck pain (20)(21)(22). It seems that different results obtained from multiple studies can be attributed to the problems with studying the pain itself, which is a personal emotional impression, and examining its reduction in the studies can give different results in different cultures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Acupuncture Plus Dry Needling, an Effective Treatment Method for Chronic Neck Pain

et al. 2015

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Background:In recent years, acupuncture has attracted much attention as a complementary therapy in the management of chronic neck pain, but the definite effect of this method has not yet been proven in reducing pain and improving function. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of acupuncture plus dry needling in relieving chronic neck pain and its lasting effects for up to 3 months after treatment. Patients and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with chronic neck pain were included in this study. Each patient received 10 minutes of acupuncture in two forms (acupoints and trigger point needling), twice a week for 6 weeks. The acupoints were GB20, GB21, BL10, BL12, BL 18, DU14, SI11, and SI13. Simultaneously, trigger points in trapezius muscles also took needle. The neck disability index (NDI) and neck pain and disability scale (NPDS) questionnaires were completed by the patients before performing intervention and again at 6 weeks and 3 months after the intervention, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. Results: Mean NPDS score upon admission was 56.3 ± 16.1, which dropped to 20.9 ± 19.4 at the end of 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). At the end of 3 months, the score reached 20.3 ± 26.6; although recovery was significant compared to the start of treatment, it was not significant compared to the end of 6 weeks (P = 0.84). Mean NDI score at pre-intervention was 20.3 ± 7.5, which reduced to 7.3 ± 6.7 after 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). After 3 months, it decreased to 5.9 ± 8.4; and although recovery was significant (P < 0.001) compared to the time of admission, it was not statistically significant compared to the end of 6 weeks of treatment (P = 0.27). Conclusions: Acupuncture plus dry needling is an effective short-as well as mid-term treatment method for chronic neck pain. The result of this study seems to be the cornerstone of further researches, which evaluate the new effective treatments for chronic neck pain.

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“…This is exemplified by the act of acupuncture. Simulating the manner in which an acupuncture needle enters the person's body, without actually piercing the skin is one problematic aspect (Ernst, 1994;Ryan, 1999;Vincent & Lewith 1995;White, Lewith, Prescott, & Conway, 2004). A credible placebo must mimic the acupuncture needle insertion, yet not enter or heavily pressure the skin, because this could create the acupuncture effect.…”

Section: Research Into Acupuncturementioning

confidence: 99%