Acupuncture in the Hospital: A Study on Acceptance and Effectiveness
Author Information
Author(s): Jeannette Painovich, Patricia M. Herman
Primary Institution: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Hypothesis
Can acupuncture reduce the length of stay and improve patient outcomes in an acute care hospital setting?
Conclusion
Acupuncture is accepted by a majority of hospitalized acute care patients, but it did not reduce length of stay in this already short-stay population.
Supporting Evidence
- 69% of patients offered acupuncture accepted it.
- Patients offered acupuncture had a longer average length of stay than those not offered.
- Patients who were more anxious or depressed at admission were more likely to accept acupuncture.
Takeaway
The study looked at whether acupuncture helps patients in the hospital feel better and leave sooner. Most patients liked it, but it didn't actually help them leave the hospital faster.
Methodology
An 18-month pragmatic randomized controlled trial comparing patients offered acupuncture to those not offered.
Potential Biases
The treatment acupuncturists administered self-report questionnaires, which may have biased responses.
Limitations
The study included a wide variety of conditions, which may have affected the results.
Participant Demographics
Patients included a diverse range of ages and races, with a mean age of approximately 63 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = .047
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.01–1.5
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website