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Research: NORHEIM and FOENNEBOE,
Listed in Issue 91
Abstract
NORHEIM and FOENNEBOE, National Research Centre for Alternative Medicine University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway, arne_norheim@hotmail.com, have conducted a survey of attitudes to the contribution of placebo in acupuncture.
Background
The aim of the study was to explore attitudes and beliefs about the placebo effect in acupuncture amongst doctors, patients, and acupuncturists.
Methodology
Between February 1994 and June 1995, 4 anonymous questionnaires were randomly distributed among 1135 doctors, 294 medical students, 432 acupuncturists and 653 members of the general public in Norway.
Results
57% indicated the treatment effect seen in acupuncture as mainly a genuine acupuncture effect, 30% thought that half the effect comes from a placebo response, and 13% were of the opinion that the effect seen in acupuncture is mainly a placebo effect. Doctors and students expressed more sceptical views than others, and having had acupuncture treatment was significantly associated with a less sceptical view amongst all groups. Attitudes to the use of acupuncture for cancer patients are associated with attitudes to placebo for doctors and medical students, but not for the general public or acupuncturists.
Conclusion
References
Norheim AJ, Foenneboe V. Attitudes to the contribution of placebo in acupuncture – a survey. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 10 (4): 202-209, Dec 2002.
