The recipients and results of acupuncture

A private clinic was established in Los Angeles in late 1972 to perform acupuncture. Most individuals seeking treatment were middle-aged and well educated. All had considerable experience with traditional medical care for their problem. The principal reason for seeking care was relief from chronic pain. Thirteen per cent had received other nontraditional forms of therapy; over one-third indicated that they sought acupuncture as a "last resort." The results of certain psychological tests taken by these patients were within the range of normal. On completion of six or more treatments, 74 per cent said they had been helped; 54 per cent of those followed for three months and 24 per cent contacted one year later were improved. A subgroup of patients who received only temporary improvement had significantly different scores on psychological scales suggesting the results noted in this group may have been due to a "placebo" effect. A significant proportion of those who dropped out of treatment did so because they had achieved the desired benefits.