Acupuncture works. Kindof. Multiple studies have determined it is as effective as “sham acupuncture.” But no more. Sham acupuncture is basically false acupuncture — it ignores the supposed energy meridians and there is no actual puncturing of the skin. Envision toothpicks pressed on random spots.
A new study on acupuncture sheds light on both how it doesn’t work and how it succeeds in eliciting a placebo-like response.
In the ScienceDaily post, Acupuncture Not Superior to Sham Acupuncture in Knee Osteoarthritis, Study Finds, I learned -
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center determined patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee who are treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) do not experience any more benefit than those receiving sham acupuncture (placebo). The team did find that the communication style of the acupuncturist could have a significant effect on pain reduction and satisfaction in patients….
A total of 455 knee OA patients received either TCA or sham acupuncture treatments and 72 healthy controls were included. Acupuncturists were trained to interact in 1 of 2 communication styles — high (“I’ve had a lot of success with treating knee pain”) or neutral (“It may or may not work for you”) expectations. Patients were then randomized and nested within 1 of 3 style groups — waiting list, high, or neutral….
The team found significant differences in J-MAP pain reduction (0.25) and satisfaction (0.22) for those patients in the high expectations group compared with the neutral group.[emphases added]
In other words, it is looking like that when acupuncture does work, it is not the voodoo of sticking pins in magic chi-releasing, yin-and-yang balancing points — as the dogma asserts — but upon the expectations of the patient and how these may be influenced by the “bedside manner” of the practitioner of this pseudo-scientific modality.
The most interesting part of the study, for me, was the effect of “communication styles.” I wonder, does a doctor provide better treatment — in the short term it should be noted — by engaging in behavior that borders on salesmanship? Is it the better salesmanship of the practitioners of alternative medicines that people are drawn to?
I’ve had a lot of success with this. Statements like that are a lot more conducive to hopeful feelings than, say, Studies have determined that for people in your condition this treatment is 38% effective of a five year period.
Hmm. Should this type of soft salesmanship be part of a doctor’s modus operandi? I wonder.
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Tags: alternative medicine
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