RT Journal
A1 Bausell B, O’Connell N
T1 Acupuncture research: Placebos by many other names
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2009
FD October 26
VO 169
IS 19
SP 1806
OP 1818
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.378
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2009.378
AB 
As is usually the case for competently performed alternative medicine trials, both studies found no statistical significance between their experimental (also called “true,” “real,” or “classic” acupuncture) and placebo (also known as “sham,” “fake,” and “simulated” acupuncture) arms. Unfortunately, both sets of authors were allowed to conclude that acupuncture significantly reduced back pain, presumably because both trials also included a “usual care” control group to which both “true” and placebo acupuncture were superior.