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- Title:
Treatment in a Randomized Multicenter Trial of Acupuncture for Migraine (ART Migraine)
- Author(s):
- Linde, Klaus; Streng, Andrea; Hoppe, Andrea; Brinkhaus, Benno; Witt, Claudia M.; Hammes, Michael; Irnich, Dominik; Hummelsberger, Josef; Willich, Stefan N.; Melchart, Dieter
- Abstract:
- Background: This paper aims to describe the characteristics of physicians and interventions of a large, multicenter randomized trial of acupuncture for migraine (ART Migraine) in order to enable acupuncturists to assess the study interventions. Patients and Methods: 302 patients suffering from migraine were randomized to 12 sessions of semi-standardized acupuncture (6 predefined basic points, recommendations for optional individual choice of additional points given), standardized minimal acupuncture (superficial needling of at least 5 of 10 predefined, distant non-acupuncture points) or a waiting list. 30 physicians trained and experienced in acupuncture from 18 centers in Germany participated in the trial. Results: The median duration of acupuncture training of trial physicians was 500 h (range 140-1350). Physicians had acupuncture experience for 10 (<1 to 25) years and had treated 200 (60 to >1000) patients with acupuncture in the year preceding trial participation. The 6 basic points were needled in 76-93% of sessions. Compliance with treatment instructions varied considerably among centers in the acupuncture group. In contrast, compliance with the minimal acupuncture protocol was very good. 6 of the 30 physicians stated that they would have treated patients somewhat differently outside the trial, 1 completely differently. The trial found a significant effect of those treated with acupuncture compared to those on the waiting list for treatment, but minimal acupuncture was as effective as acupuncture. Conclusions: The treatment protocols for acupuncture and minimal acupuncture in ART Migraine appeared an adequate compromise in the specific situation and for the predefined purposes. However, a relevant minority of participating physicians would have treated patients differently outside the trial.
- Journal title:
- Forschende Komplementärmedizin / Research in Complementary Medicine
- Year:
- 2006
- Journal volume:
- 13
- Journal issue:
- 2
- Pages contribution:
- 101--108
- Fulltext / DOI:
- doi:10.1159/000091999
- Publisher:
- S. Karger GmbH
- Publisher address:
- Freiburg, Germany
- Print-ISSN:
- 1661-4127
- E-ISSN:
- 1661-4127
- Notes:
- Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich. This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
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