Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mechanisms of Different Brainstem Nuclei Involved in Electroacupuncture-Induced Analgesia.

Chinese journal of integrative medicine·2026
Same author

[Study on the underlying mechanisms of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST36) in restoring blood glucose homeostasis in prediabetes mice].

Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2026
Same author

[Progress on the mechanism of endocannabinoids involved in electroacupuncture for analgesia and itch relief].

Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica]·2026
Same author

[Methodological suggestions for the design and implementation of acupuncture Meta-analysis].

Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2026
Same author

Acupuncture Prescription Based on Thermal-Sensitized Acupoints for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

JMIR research protocols·2026
Same author

Distinct intensity of electroacupuncture ameliorates mechanical hypersensitivity by attenuating neuronal sensitization in spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of inflammatory muscle pain.

Journal of integrative medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Development of a Standardized Acupuncture Tool Inspired by Advanced Techniques for Improved Safety and Precision
07:29

Author Spotlight: Development of a Standardized Acupuncture Tool Inspired by Advanced Techniques for Improved Safety and Precision

Published on: January 10, 2025

417

[Acupuncture randomized controlled trials: comparing China-based vs. Western-based studies].

Wei-Juan Gang1, Chang-Zhen Gong2, Xiang-Hong Jing1

  • 1Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
|January 13, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Chinese and Western acupuncture randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show differing results. This analysis explores factors contributing to these discrepancies and proposes standardized research protocols for acupuncture clinical studies.

Keywords:
acupuncturecomparisonmethodology of clinical research of acupuncturerandomized controlled trial (RCT)

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension
05:19

Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension

Published on: September 1, 2023

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research
03:26

Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research

Published on: December 8, 2023

1.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Development of a Standardized Acupuncture Tool Inspired by Advanced Techniques for Improved Safety and Precision
07:29

Author Spotlight: Development of a Standardized Acupuncture Tool Inspired by Advanced Techniques for Improved Safety and Precision

Published on: January 10, 2025

417
Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension
05:19

Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension

Published on: September 1, 2023

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research
03:26

Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research

Published on: December 8, 2023

1.4K

Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Clinical Research Methodology
  • Acupuncture Studies

Background:

  • Acupuncture is a globally utilized therapeutic modality with increasing clinical research.
  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture yield divergent outcomes between Chinese and Western studies.
  • Chinese RCTs predominantly report positive acupuncture effects, while Western studies often find no significant difference compared to placebo.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze factors contributing to outcome disparities in acupuncture RCTs between China and Western countries.
  • To critically examine the methodological quality and reporting of acupuncture RCTs.
  • To propose improvements for the acupuncture clinical research paradigm.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of acupuncture RCTs from China and Western countries.
  • Evaluation of study design, treatment protocols, investigator influence, and outcome reporting.
  • Identification of methodological inconsistencies and deficiencies.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences exist in starting points, purpose, study design, and treatment regimens between Chinese and Western acupuncture RCTs.
  • Methodological quality and the reporting of results and conclusions vary considerably.
  • Methodological confusion appears to be perpetuated across studies.

Conclusions:

  • Discrepancies in acupuncture RCT outcomes stem from fundamental differences in research approaches and methodologies.
  • Standardization of research protocols and outcome metrics is crucial for reliable acupuncture clinical research.
  • A revised research paradigm is needed to enhance the validity and comparability of acupuncture studies worldwide.