Analgesic effects of acupuncture on the pain of ice water : a double blind study

Abstract

Analgesic effects of acupuncture were demonstrated under double blind conditions. Thirty female subjects were randomly assigned to either an acupuncture condition, or one of two placebo conditions. Placebo 1 did not receive any needles, Placebo 2 received acupuncture at inappropriate sites. The three groups were then tested on the same standardized pain task (immersion of hand in ice water). The acupuncture group's pain ratings were significantly lower than the ratings of the placebo groups. These results are interpreted as support for the position that acupuncture analgesia has a physiological basiS, and is not simply due to suggestion.