Acupuncture Matrix

A placebo is a sham medical intervention.

Placebo-control of acupuncture is used to evaluate and distinguish between the specific effects and the non-specific ones. During ‘true’ acupuncture treatment in general, the needles are inserted into acupoints and stimulated until deqi is evoked. In contrast, during placebo acupuncture, the needles are inserted into non-acupoints and/or superficially (so-called minimal acupuncture). Read more…

Research Article Deqi, Minimal acupuncture, Placebo, Sham Acupuncture

Placebo administration has been shown to cause the release of dopamine in the brain of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Is the placebo effect disease specific? What is the best way to perform sham acupuncture in research studies? Read more…

Research Article Parkinson's disease, Placebo, Sham Acupuncture

A case report of a modern pentathlon treated with acupuncture over seven years. Read more…

Research Article Doping, Placebo, Sports