Testing traditionally based systems of acupuncture

In this brief paper the author highlights a number of issues involved in the investigation of traditionally based systems of acupuncture. Issues of authenticity and scholarship are discussed. Selecting clinical research models to match the type of question asked are discussed. The author also suggests a number of research models and a checklist of criteria that may be necessary for randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture exploring the relationship between clinical efficacy and the specific traditional diagnosis-treatment interventions used.