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Redefining the randomized controlled trial in the context of acupuncture research.
Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006 May; 12(2):91-6.CT

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the 'gold standard' methodology for evaluating efficacy of an intervention. It has been argued that RCTs cannot be used to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of an RCT study design for acupuncture research.

FINDINGS

RCTs would be more effective in studying acupuncture if study participants were randomized to groups based on the acupuncture diagnosis and not solely on the Western diagnostic criteria. Treatments must also be standardized somewhat to ensure replicability of the study and the information it provides. Blinding is not absolutely necessary for a good-quality RCT; however, if used, control groups need to be standardized and sham techniques evaluated to ensure accurate interpretation of results.

CONCLUSIONS

With these factors combined, it is possible to greatly increase internal and external validity in acupuncture RCTs.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Walji R
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, Ont., Canada. rishma.walji@utoronto.ca
Boon H
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Acupuncture TherapyBiasControl GroupsEvidence-Based MedicineGuidelines as TopicHumansPatient SelectionPlacebosRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicReproducibility of ResultsResearch DesignSingle-Blind MethodTreatment Outcome

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16648085

Citation

Walji, Rishma, and Heather Boon. "Redefining the Randomized Controlled Trial in the Context of Acupuncture Research." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 12, no. 2, 2006, pp. 91-6.
Walji R, Boon H. Redefining the randomized controlled trial in the context of acupuncture research. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006;12(2):91-6.
Walji, R., & Boon, H. (2006). Redefining the randomized controlled trial in the context of acupuncture research. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 12(2), 91-6.
Walji R, Boon H. Redefining the Randomized Controlled Trial in the Context of Acupuncture Research. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006;12(2):91-6. PubMed PMID: 16648085.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Redefining the randomized controlled trial in the context of acupuncture research. AU - Walji,Rishma, AU - Boon,Heather, Y1 - 2006/03/30/ PY - 2005/08/10/received PY - 2005/10/27/revised PY - 2005/10/27/accepted PY - 2006/5/2/pubmed PY - 2006/6/21/medline PY - 2006/5/2/entrez SP - 91 EP - 6 JF - Complementary therapies in clinical practice JO - Complement Ther Clin Pract VL - 12 IS - 2 N2 - BACKGROUND: The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the 'gold standard' methodology for evaluating efficacy of an intervention. It has been argued that RCTs cannot be used to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of an RCT study design for acupuncture research. FINDINGS: RCTs would be more effective in studying acupuncture if study participants were randomized to groups based on the acupuncture diagnosis and not solely on the Western diagnostic criteria. Treatments must also be standardized somewhat to ensure replicability of the study and the information it provides. Blinding is not absolutely necessary for a good-quality RCT; however, if used, control groups need to be standardized and sham techniques evaluated to ensure accurate interpretation of results. CONCLUSIONS: With these factors combined, it is possible to greatly increase internal and external validity in acupuncture RCTs. SN - 1744-3881 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/16648085/Redefining_the_randomized_controlled_trial_in_the_context_of_acupuncture_research_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -