BACKGROUND: There is increasing need to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture and other alternative therapies for common conditions. However, little attention has focused on the variability in acupuncturists' assessment, diagnosis, and treatment patterns. METHODS: Seven office-based acupuncturists practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine evaluated the same patient with chronic low back pain and provided data regarding principal assessment techniques, diagnoses, and therapeutic recommendations. RESULTS: A high diagnostic agreement existed among 5 of 7 acupuncturists. However, recommended treatments included varying numbers and locations of acupuncture points. Recommendations varied between 5 and 14 points requiring 7 to 26 needles, since many points were intended for bilateral application. Of 28 acupuncture points selected, only 4 (14%) were prescribed by two or more acupuncturists. Most recommended various forms of adjuvant heat. CONCLUSIONS: Seven acupuncturists agreed considerably in the diagnoses for the same patient with chronic low back pain, but treatment recommendations varied substantially. Clinicians and researchers must recognize treatment recommendation variations and the challenges they present for study design and interpretation.
BACKGROUND: There is increasing need to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture and other alternative therapies for common conditions. However, little attention has focused on the variability in acupuncturists' assessment, diagnosis, and treatment patterns. METHODS: Seven office-based acupuncturists practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine evaluated the same patient with chronic low back pain and provided data regarding principal assessment techniques, diagnoses, and therapeutic recommendations. RESULTS: A high diagnostic agreement existed among 5 of 7 acupuncturists. However, recommended treatments included varying numbers and locations of acupuncture points. Recommendations varied between 5 and 14 points requiring 7 to 26 needles, since many points were intended for bilateral application. Of 28 acupuncture points selected, only 4 (14%) were prescribed by two or more acupuncturists. Most recommended various forms of adjuvant heat. CONCLUSIONS: Seven acupuncturists agreed considerably in the diagnoses for the same patient with chronic low back pain, but treatment recommendations varied substantially. Clinicians and researchers must recognize treatment recommendation variations and the challenges they present for study design and interpretation.
Authors: Eric Jacobson; Lisa Conboy; Dolma Tsering; Monica Shields; Patrick McKnight; Peter M Wayne; Rosa Schnyer Journal: J Altern Complement Med Date: 2019-11 Impact factor: 2.579
Authors: Arya Nielsen; Laura Ocker; Iman Majd; Jeff A Draisin; Katherine Taromina; Marjorie T Maggenti; Jaimie Long; Mark Nolting; Karen J Sherman Journal: Glob Adv Health Med Date: 2021-05-26
Authors: Karen J Sherman; Daniel C Cherkin; Laura Ichikawa; Andrew L Avins; William E Barlow; Partap S Khalsa; Richard A Deyo Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2009-09-21 Impact factor: 2.362
Authors: Suzanne J Grant; Rosa N Schnyer; Dennis Hsu-Tung Chang; Paul Fahey; Alan Bensoussan Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-05-09 Impact factor: 2.629