For 10 years, our unit has intensively researched the efficacy and safety of acupuncture. This is a brief summary of our work in this area. Specifically, it deals with the development of a sham needle, with various systematic reviews and prospective studies in the area of safety, and with our clinical trials and systematic reviews on efficacy. We also hope in the future that we will be able to contribute to the understanding of acupuncture as a therapeutic modality.
ParkJ, WhiteA, LeeH, ErnstE.Development of a new sham needle. Acupunct Med1999;17(2): 110–2.
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ParkJ, WhiteA, StevinsonC, ErnstE, JamesM.Validating a new non penetrating sham acupuncture device: two randomised controlled trials. Acupunct Med2002;20(4): 168–74.
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ParkJ, WhiteAR, LeeH, YamashitaH, ErnstE.Credibility of a newly developed sham needle. [Japanese]Jap Soc Acupunct Moxibust2000;50(2): 111–4.
ErnstE, WhiteA.Life-threatening adverse reactions after acupuncture? A systematic review. Pain1997; 71(2): 123–6.
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PeukerET, WhiteA, ErnstE, PeraF, FillerTJ. Traumatic complications of acupuncture. Therapists need to know human anatomy. Arch Fam Med1999;8(6): 553–8.
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YamashitaH, TsukayamaH, WhiteAR, TannoY, SugishitaC, ErnstE.Systematic review of adverse events following acupuncture: the Japanese literature. Complement Ther Med2001;9(2): 98–104.
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ErnstE, WhiteAR. Prospective studies of the safety of acupuncture: a systematic review. Am J Med2001; 110(6): 481–5.
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WhiteA, HayhoeS, HartA, ErnstE.Adverse events following acupuncture: prospective survey of 32 000 consultations with doctors and physiotherapists. BMJ2001;323(7311): 485–6.
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MelchartD, WeidenhammerW, StrengAReitmayrS, HoppeA, ErnstE.Adverse effects of acupuncture, a prospective investigation of 97,733 patients. Arch Int Med2003;in press.
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WhiteAR, EddlestonC, HardieR, ReschKL, ErnstE.A pilot study of acupuncture for tension headache, using a novel placebo. Acupunct Med1996;14(1): 11–5.
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WhiteAR, ReschKL, ChanJCK, NorrisCD, ModiSK, PatelJNAcupuncture for episodic tension—type headache: a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Cephalalgia2000;20(7): 632–7.
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KnightB, MudgeC, OpenshawS, WhiteA, HartA.Effect of acupuncture on nausea of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol2001;97(2): 184–8.
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WhiteAR, ReschKL, ErnstE.Randomized trial of acupuncture for nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Arch Intern Med1998;158(20): 2251–5.
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RossJ, WhiteA, ErnstE.Western, minimal acupuncture for neck pain: a cohort study. Acupunct Med1999;17(1): 5–8.
16.
HentschelC.Profiling ‘centres of excellence’ in CAM research. Complement Ther Med2002;10(1): 46–8.
