Acupuncture randomized trials (ART) in patients with chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee - Design and protocols

Background: We report on the study design and protocols of two
randomized controlled trials (Acupuncture Randomized Trials = ART)
that investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of
chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee, respectively.
Objective: To investigate whether acupuncture is more efficacious
than (a) no treatment or (b) minimal acupuncture in the treatment
of low back pain and osteoarthritis. Design: Two randomized,
controlled, multicenter trials with three treatment arms and a
total follow-up time of 52 weeks. Setting: 30 practitioners and
outpatient units in Germany specialized in acupuncture treatment.
Patients: 300 patients will be included in each study. In the low
back pain trial, patients will be included according to clinical
diagnosis. In the osteoarthritis pain trial, patients will be
included according to the American College of Rheumatology
criteria. Interventions: Patients are randomly assigned to receive
either (1) semi-standardized acupuncture (150 patients), (2)
minimal acupuncture at non-acupuncture points (75 patients), or (3)
no treatment for two months followed by semi-standardized
acupuncture (75 patients, waiting list control). Acupuncture
treatment consists of 12 sessions per patient over a period of 8
weeks. Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure is the
difference between baseline and the end of the 8-week treatment
period in the following parameters: pain intensity as measured by a
visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-100 mm) in the low back pain trial
and by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis
Score (WOMAC) in the osteoarthritis trial. Outlook: The results of
these two studies (available in 2004) will provide health care
providers and policy makers with the information needed to make
scientifically sound assessments of acupuncture therapy.