Issues in acupuncture research: the failure of quantitative methodologies and the possibilities for viable, alternative solutions.

Abstract

Thirty years of active acupuncture research have failed to unequivocally demonstrate its clinical efficacy. Certain characteristics of acupuncture are difficult to fit into an experimental study. Many researchers mention selection of appropriate controls, single- or double-blind research design, and application of relevant outcome measures as areas causing most difficulties. Also cited are the variability of acupuncture techniques, difficulty of standardizing acupuncture treatments, inadequate population size, significant variability of response to treatments, the use of a distinctive terminology, and importance of practitioner's experience. Acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine are based on a unique philosophical model, and the instruments of biomedical research may be inadequate and inappropriate. In contrast to the quantitative experimental method, introspective self-observation and qualitative observation are offered as a means of studying the effectiveness of acupuncture.