Is Sham Laser a Valid Control for Acupuncture Trials?
2011
Is Sham Laser a Valid Control for Acupuncture Trials?
Sample size: 34
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Dominik Irnich, Norbert Salih, Martin Offenbächer, Johannes Fleckenstein
Primary Institution: University of Munich
Hypothesis
Can sham laser acupuncture serve as a valid placebo control in acupuncture trials?
Conclusion
Sham laser acupuncture can serve as a valid control procedure for evaluating specific laser acupuncture effects.
Supporting Evidence
- 15 out of 34 subjects identified the laser device correctly after the first session.
- Deqi-like sensations occurred in 46% of active laser treatments and 49% of sham laser treatments.
- The credibility of sham laser was not different from needle acupuncture.
Takeaway
This study tested if a fake laser treatment feels the same as a real one, and it turns out people couldn't tell the difference.
Methodology
A randomized, double-blinded, cross-over trial comparing sham laser and verum laser acupuncture treatments.
Limitations
The use of red light in both treatments may have influenced the perceived effects.
Participant Demographics
Healthy volunteers, mean age 28 ± 10.7 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
.26
Statistical Significance
p = .26
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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