German Study

[Guest guest]

I had a friend translate the article for me. As you can see more

info is needed on the 900 participant/sham study such as what points

were used.

Rich Blitstein

PCOM Chicago

 

The world-wide largest randomized aucpunture study proves scientific

envidence that this meathod of treatment from Chinese medicine is

effectifly helpful for patients. Even for frequentive illnesses like

head aches and neck aches as well as asthma and hay fever were

reached considerable improvement among patients.

 

 

 

Scientist of Charite in Berlin made research for three years and

looked for scientific evidences for the effectiveness of the a

thousand years old acupuncture method. In this world-wide largest

randomized acupunture study with altogether 250.000 patients and

about 10,000 general practioners (Olaf : that is what my dictionary

offers but I doubt if there is an equivalent at all as it is term

for special kinds of doctors who have set up a practice and have a

particular relation with a medical insurance company ..... ) is was

shown that acupunture is reliable and of lasting effectiveness even

for common dieseases like head aches, chronic neck aches (cervical

vertebra spinal column syndrom ; Olaf : this I have to check, no

entry, but this is what the compund says) and even hay fever.

 

 

The results of the study were presented by Professor Dr. Stefan

Willich: „ We have closely examined acupunture in different parts of

study from three perspectives. Now eventually the scientific

evidence is given that acupunture is effective and safe in the

routine care (Olaf : what is meant for the daily practice). " , thus

is was said by the project director and head of the institut for

social medicine, epidemiology and health economy of the charite in

Berlin.

 

 

 

Nine of ten persons suffering from an allergy felt clearly better

even after six months after the treatment. Three of four patients

with head aches and lumbar vertebra aches (here : lumbar vertebra

spinal column aches) equally showed an improvement after this time.

Even higher was the rate for arthrose aches (Olaf : no entry in

dict.) (85 per cent), asthma (82 per cent) und dysmenorrhoe (85 per

cent).

 

 

The most intensive part of study (over 50.000 patients) was to

divide the patients by random selection into two groups

(randomization). While one group was treated with the routine method

with acupunture in addition, the other one was left without

acupunture. Doctors and patients noted the results of treatment in

standardized questionnaires / forms that later on were analyzed by

the Charite. There it was shown that the acupunture group only

experienced a significant improvement of their sufferings. „ This

result is even more important as the patients were not observed

under conditions of a clinical study but during routine care. " , said

Professor Willich.

 

 

The largest part of the study (nearly 150.000 patients) focussed on

the investigation of side effects. Just about every tenth patient

reported on side effects like haematomae and minor bleeding after

the treatment. Serious side effects were extremely rare until now.

 

For the third part of study (ca. 900 patients) questions remain

open. The third part was done in collaboration with the Munich team

of Dr. Dieter Melchart. There patients in comparable groups got

needles applied on the acupunture points or on ineffective points

(according to acupunture theory). Here it showed that acupunture is

at least for lumbar vertebra spinal column aches and migraine

effective even if the needles were applied on the incorrect points

 

 

The results of the study were intended to give arguments for a

decision, if acupunture should be included in the regular benefit

catalog of the medical insurance company. (Olaf : in other words

what these companies pay for and what they don't and therefore of

major importance for the doctors if he gets money or not & #61514; & #61516; =

& #61514; -

otherwise the patients has to be it fully). „ If one opens the door

for this cautious / soft treatment alternative millions of chronic

patients can be helped with acupunture. " , was stressed by Dr.

Christoph Straub, member of the board of the health insurance

company for technicians, that has commissioned this study. It was

assisted by 13 other companies as a model project.

Even though first results were found, the research continues

until 500.000 participants are reached. By this the co-operating

groups intend to answer newly found questions, to do more research

on side effects and to give statements on the economicalness of

methods of treatment (Olaf : meant here the economy / money not the

effectiveness). The end of this study is planned for october 2008 or

earlier, if acupunture is earlier included as regular benefit of the

statutory health insurance companies.