How to design the control group in randomized controlled trials of acupuncture?

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med

School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.

Published: August 2012

In evidence-based medicine, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the preferred method for evaluating the efficacy of interventions. In regard to acupuncture RCTs, the most difficult issues are the design of the control group and implementation of the principle of "double-blinding." We compared the advantages and limitations associated with different control group designs in acupuncture RCTs, to assist researchers in this field.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3398668PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/875284DOI Listing

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