Analysis of key therapeutic elements in acupuncture therapy and placebo acupuncture controls
针刺疗法及安慰针刺对照中的关键治疗要素分析

Jian-fei NIU (牛舰霏), Guan-qun WANG (王冠群), Xiao-long XIE (解小龙), Shuo DU (杜朔), Bi-hui PENG (彭碧辉), Ji-ping ZHAO (赵吉平)

Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing 100700,China (北京中医药大学东直门医院，北京100700，中国)

Abstract

Identifying key acupuncture elements is essential for optimizing sham acupuncture controls. Based on the characteristics and current state of acupuncture therapy, this paper categorizes key acupuncture elements into types and contents. Taking the former as a clue, it examines the current understanding of key acupuncture elements and underscores the need for further refinement to ensure that sham acupuncture controls more closely approximate physiological inertness. Additionally, it explores strategies and methodologies for advancing the understanding of key acupuncture elements from both the type and content perspectives. Key acupuncture elements should expand the number of included element types. Elements such as acupuncture needles, point selection, point combination, needle insertion, needle manipulation, and needle withdrawal should all be included, and they should be reported in a standardized manner in the trials. Regarding element content, improvements should be made in three key areas to enhance selection accuracy: 1. Strengthening the comprehensiveness of relevant theoretical frameworks. 2. Emphasizing the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and acupoint palpation methods in trial application and reporting. 3. Continuously investigating the mechanisms underlying both the specific efficacy and the placebo efficacy of acupuncture.

【摘要】

认识针刺疗法中的关键针刺要素有助于安慰针刺对照的优化。基于针刺疗法的特点和现状，本文将关键针刺要素分为类型和内容两部分，以前者为线索介绍了当前对关键针刺要素的认识，并指出目前的认识需要完善以帮助安慰针刺对照接近生理惰性的要求，进而从类型和内容两方面探索了进一步认识关键针刺要素的思路与方法。关键针刺要素应扩大所纳入的要素类型的数量，针具、选穴、配穴、进针、行针和出针类要素都应包括在其中，且应在试验中予以规范报告；在要素内容上，则应从三个方面进一步提高选择的准确性：1.提高对相关理论掌握的全面性。2.重视中医诊断和揣穴法在试验中的应用和报告。3.持续对针刺疗法的特异性效力和安慰效力机制进行研究。