Experiences of Acupuncturists in a Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

Details

• Personal Author:
  Goldman R ; Kaptchuk TJ ; Kerr CE ; McManus CA ; Nguyen LT ; Schnyer RN ; Stason WB
• Description:
  Background: This paper describes the experiences of 8 licensed acupuncturists in a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT). This information is important to the design and conduct of high-quality trials. Methods: We conducted a RCT (N = 135) with a 2-week placebo run-in followed by 4 weeks of twiceweekly treatments comparing genuine to sham acupuncture (using the Streitberger placebo needle) in the treatment of arm pain caused by repetitive use. At the end of this study, we conducted written structured interviews with 8 participating acupuncturists. The acupuncturists were not aware of the study's results at the time of these interviews. The questions focused on their experiences in the study, adherence to study protocols, their thoughts about the technical and ethical issues involved in using a sham needling device, and their expectations of trial outcomes. The questions were motivated by expressions of concerns the acupuncturists raised in feedback groups during the course of the study, and our desire to improve further trials. Results: The acupuncturists differed widely in their comfort levels with the research methods used, their adherence to the study protocol, and their expectations of trial outcomes. Conclusions: We conclude that careful monitoring of acupuncturists, including observation of treatments and frequent meetings to support them throughout the trial, is necessary to maintain a high degree of quality control. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cumulative Trauma Disorders Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Health Personnel Mental Health Occupational Health Quality Control Safety Staff Development Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Ethics Medical Monitoring Medical Personnel Monitoring Systems Psychological Effects Quality Control Questionnaires Repetitive Strain Injury Repetitive Stress Repetitive Work RSI Training

  More +
• ISSN:
  1075-5535
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  13
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057711
• Citation:
  J Altern Complement Med 2007 Jun; 13(5):533-537
• Contact Point Address:
  Claire A. McManus, M.Ac., Osher Institute, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02115
• Email:
  mcmanusacupuncture@mac.com
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2007
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e7d7e9be8e9acc62f775dc905acf341d10cd37a54a4c7c17d7831d757b666942f64b6f723a913623127078bb952e70cda9c015c12c5cea5d798c271cc566cc23
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214961/cdc_214961_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 59.08 KB ]