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Research: BRINKHAUS and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 97
Abstract
BRINKHAUS and colleagues, Institut fuer Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsoekonomie, Klinikum Charite, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, benno.brinkhaus@charite.de, introduce the design of acupuncture trials in patients with chronic low back pain or arthritis of the knee.
Background
The aim of these two studies, the results of which are expected in 2004, is to investigate whether acupuncture is more efficient in the treatment of low back pain or osteoarthritis of the knee than either no treatment or minimal acupuncture.
Methodology
The trials are designed as randomized, controlled, multicentre trials with three treatment arms each and a follow-up period of one year. 300 patients will be included in each study. Patients are randomly assigned to receive either semi-standardized acupuncture (150 patients), minimal acupuncture at non-acupuncture points (75 patients), or no treatment for two months followed by semi-standardized acupuncture (75 patients, waiting list controls). The treatment will be 12 sessions over 8 weeks. Main outcome measure will be the difference between baseline and post treatment values of pain intensity in the low back pain trial, and the difference between baseline and post treatment scores in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Score (WOMAC) for the arthritis trial.
Results
Conclusion
These two studies should provide a sound scientific basis for policymakers and health care professionals to assess the value of acupuncture in the treatment of low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee.
References
Brinkhaus B, Becker-Witt C, Jena S, Linde K, Streng A, Wagenpfeil S, Irnich D, Hummelsberger J, Melchart D, Willich SN. Acupuncture Randomized Trials (ART) in patients with chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee – design and protocols. Forschende Komplementaermedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde 10 (4): 185-191, Aug 2003.
