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Schlaeger JM, Takakura N, Yajima H, Takayama M, Steffen AD, Gabzdyl EM, Nisi RA, McGowan Gruber K, Bussell JM, Wilkie DJ. Double-blind acupuncture needles: a multi-needle, multi-session randomized feasibility study. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2018; 4:72. [PMID: 29686883 PMCID: PMC5897935 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-018-0265-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Efficacy of acupuncture is difficult to demonstrate without a feasible double-blind milieu. Double-blind acupuncture needles have been validated in single session protocols with one or two needles but not been tested in a protocol requiring many needles and repeated sessions. Methods We determined the feasibility of a 13-needle, 10-session study protocol. Feasibility focused on (1) enrolling and retaining participants; (2) two acupuncturists accurately implementing a double-blind, multi-needle, multi-session protocol; (3) participants completing measures; and (4) protocol acceptability to participants. In this double-blind randomized controlled pilot study, participants were randomized 1:1 to a penetrating needle group or a skin-touch placebo control group. Results Six women with vulvodynia (mean age 31.5 ± 8 years; five white, non-Latina, one black/African American) met the eligibility requirements, consented to participation, and were enrolled. All six participants (100%) completed the 10-session study protocol in 5 weeks without missing any treatment sessions. Per observed checklist documented technique, two acupuncturists flawlessly administered the 13-needle, 10-session acupuncture protocol; no needles malfunctioned. Six participants attended all sessions and completed 99% of measurement items. One participant did not like acupuncture (60% acceptability score) and five liked acupuncture (100% acceptability scores); the mean acceptability score was 93.3%. Conclusion Study feasibility was supported. This protocol can be used in a double-blind efficacy trial of acupuncture for vulvodynia. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02704234. Registered 30 November 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Schlaeger
- 1Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen (M/C 802), Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Nobuari Takakura
- 2Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, 2-9-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063 Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Yajima
- 2Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, 2-9-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063 Japan
| | - Miho Takayama
- 2Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, 2-9-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063 Japan
| | - Alana D Steffen
- 1Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen (M/C 802), Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Elizabeth M Gabzdyl
- 1Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen (M/C 802), Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Robyn A Nisi
- 1Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen (M/C 802), Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Kathleen McGowan Gruber
- 1Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen (M/C 802), Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Jason M Bussell
- 3Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Diana J Wilkie
- 4Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
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