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Is acupuncture really effective on neck/shoulder stiffness? Randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trials.

Research Project

Project/Area Number 16K09266
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Research Field General internal medicine(including psychosomatic medicine)
Research InstitutionTokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences

Principal Investigator

Takakura Nobuari  東京有明医療大学, 保健医療学部, 教授 (60563400)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 矢嶌 裕義  東京有明医療大学, 保健医療学部, 准教授 (00563412)
高山 美歩  東京有明医療大学, 保健医療学部, 講師 (20563414)
Project Period (FY) 2016-04-01 – 2021-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
Budget Amount *help
¥4,810,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,110,000)
Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Keywords鍼 / プラセボ / ダブルブラインド / 肩こり / 補完代替医療 / ランダム化比較試験
Outline of Final Research Achievements

Participants with neck/shoulder stiffness were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: 1) 10 mm penetrating needles; 2) 2 mm skin-press placebo needles; 3) skin-touch placebo needles; or, 4) no-touch placebo needles. There was a clinically meaningful reduction in neck/shoulder stiffness in all four treatment groups. There were no significant differences in blood circulation and muscle activities in the associated stiff muscles between the four groups after treatment. The penetrating needle group showed a significantly greater improvement in neck/shoulder stiffness compared to the skin-touch and no-touch placebo, but not the 2 mm skin-press placebo groups. Findings may indicate that skin-touch and no-touch needles can be used as placebos. It is unclear if the 2 mm skin-press needles may be used as placebo. Studies on the effects of placebo needles are needed so they can be compared to effects of penetrating needles. This will enable determination of the true effect of acupuncture.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、これまで不可能とされていた二重盲検用の「刺さる鍼と、皮膚に刺さらないプラセボ鍼」を用いた、エビデンスレベルの高い厳格な臨床試験である。
本研究から、鍼治療はプラセボ効果を含む可能性があることが明らかになったが、皮膚に刺さらないプラセボ鍼治療でさえも、患者にとって意義のある程度の肩こり改善効果があることがわかった。この結果は、今後の鍼研究における「プラセボ鍼」の定義や効果の解釈、実際の「鍼治療」の効果の本質の検討に貢献し、患者にとって有益な治療方法の情報提供を行い、社会に正しいエビデンスを発信する指針作りに役立つと考えている。

Report

(6 results)
  • 2020 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2019 Research-status Report
  • 2018 Research-status Report
  • 2017 Research-status Report
  • 2016 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (39 results)

All 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 Other

All Int'l Joint Research (7 results) Journal Article (15 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 8 results,  Peer Reviewed: 15 results,  Open Access: 7 results) Presentation (17 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 5 results,  Invited: 1 results)

  • [Int'l Joint Research] University of Illinois Chicago/Beth Israel Medical Center/Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging(米国)

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] University of Illinois at Chicago/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School(米国)

    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] University of Illinois at Chicago/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School(米国)

    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] University of Illinois at Chicago/Martinos center for Biomedical Imaging/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center(米国)

    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] The University of Illinois at Chicago(米国)

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging(米国)

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center(米国)

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Journal Article] Effects on Acupuncturist Blinding: Different Diameters of Double-blind Acupuncture Needles.2020

    • Author(s)
      Yajima H, Takayama M, Nasu M, Nishiwaki M, Kawase A, Hiramatsu Y, Nobe R, Schlaeger JM, Takakura N.
    • Journal Title

      Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine

      Volume: Online ahead of print.

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Double-blinding of an acupuncture randomized controlled trial optimized with clinical translational science award resources.2020

    • Author(s)
      Alana D Steffen, Larisa A Burke, Heather A Pauls, Marie L Suarez, Yingwei Yao, William H Kobak, Miho Takayama, Hiroyoshi Yajima, Ted J Kaptchuk, Nobuari Takakura, Diana J Wilkie, Judith M Schlaeger
    • Journal Title

      Clinical Trials

      Volume: 17(5) Issue: 5 Pages: 545-551

    • DOI

      10.1177/1740774520934910

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Changes in blood circulation of the tendon and heart rate variability during and after acupuncture2020

    • Author(s)
      Kubo K, Iizuka Y, Yajima H, Takayama M, Takakura N
    • Journal Title

      Medical Acupuncture

      Volume: 32(2) Issue: 2 Pages: 99-107

    • DOI

      10.1089/acu.2019.1397

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report 2019 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Acupuncture- And Intermittent Compression-Induced Changes in Blood Circulation of Tendon2020

    • Author(s)
      Kubo K, Iizuka Y, Yajima H, Takayama M, Takakura N.
    • Journal Title

      J Altern Complement Med.

      Volume: 26(3) Issue: 3 Pages: 231-238

    • DOI

      10.1089/acm.2019.0345

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Acupuncture for post-stroke shoulder pain: a case report.2020

    • Author(s)
      Hiroyoshi Yajima, Miho Takayama, Ruka Nobe, Judith M Schlaeger, Nobuari Takakura
    • Journal Title

      Acupuncture in Medicine

      Volume: 38(6) Issue: 6 Pages: 446-448

    • DOI

      10.1177/0964528420920292

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Acupuncture- and intermittent compression-induced changes in blood circulation of tendon2020

    • Author(s)
      Kubo K, Iizuka Y, Yajima H, Takayama M, Takakura N
    • Journal Title

      The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

      Volume: -

    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Acupuncture to Improve Symptoms for Stable Angina: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial2019

    • Author(s)
      Schlaeger J, Cai HY, Steffen AD, Angulo V, Shroff AR, Briller JE, Hoppensteadt D, Uwizeye G, Pauls HA, Takayama M, Yajima H, Takakura N, DeVon HA.
    • Journal Title

      JMIR Res Protoc

      Volume: 8(7) Issue: 7 Pages: e14705-e14705

    • DOI

      10.2196/14705

    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] A double-blind study on acupuncture sensations with Japanese style of acupuncture: comparison between penetrating and placebo needles.2018

    • Author(s)
      Nishiwaki M, Takayama M, Yajima H, Nasu M, Park J, Kong J, Takakura N.
    • Journal Title

      Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

      Volume: 8128147 Issue: 1 Pages: 11-11

    • DOI

      10.1155/2018/8128147

    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Patient blinding with blunt tip of placebo acupuncture needles: comparison between 1 mm and 2 mm skin press.2018

    • Author(s)
      Takakura N, Takayama M, Nasu M, Nishiwaki M, Kawase A, Yajima H.
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Integrative Medicine

      Volume: 16(3) Pages: 164-171

    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Blinding indices and blinding scenarios of practitioners and patients with acupuncture needles for double blinding.2018

    • Author(s)
      Takakura N, Takayama M, Nishiwaki M, Yajima H.
    • Journal Title

      Acupunct Med

      Volume: 36(2) Issue: 2 Pages: 123-124

    • DOI

      10.1136/acupmed-2017-011430

    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Double-blind and single-blind retractable placebo needles.2018

    • Author(s)
      Takakura N, Takayama M, Yajima H.
    • Journal Title

      Anaesthesia

      Volume: 73(2) Issue: 2 Pages: 258-260

    • DOI

      10.1111/anae.14208

    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] The Japanese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale: A validation study.2017

    • Author(s)
      Nishiwaki M, Takayama M, Yajima H, Nasu M, Kong J, Takakura N.
    • Journal Title

      Evid Based Complement Alternat Med

      Volume: 2017 Issue: 1 Pages: 7093967-7093967

    • DOI

      10.1155/2017/7093967

    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] The Japanese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale: A validation study2017

    • Author(s)
      Masako Nishiwaki, Miho Takayama, Hiroyoshi Yajima, Morihiro Nasu, Jian Kong, Nobuari Takakura
    • Journal Title

      Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

      Volume: In Press

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Acupuncture for Menopausal Hot Flashes2016

    • Author(s)
      Nobuari Takakura, Miho Takayama, Hiroyoshi Yajima
    • Journal Title

      Annals of Internal Medicine

      Volume: 165(6) Issue: 6 Pages: 448-449

    • DOI

      10.7326/l16-0200

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Acupuncture and Acupressure in Labor2016

    • Author(s)
      Judith M. Schlaeger, Elizabeth M. Gabzdyl, Jeanie L. Bussell, Nobuari Takakura, Hiroyoshi Yajima, Miho Takayama, Diana J.Wilkie
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Midwifery &Women’s Health

      Volume: 62(1) Issue: 1 Pages: 12-28

    • DOI

      10.1111/jmwh.12545

    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] eスポーツアスリートが抱える愁訴に対する鍼治療の試み プロゲーミングチームにおける活動報告2019

    • Author(s)
      平松耀, 高梨知揚, 矢嶌裕義, 高山美歩, 納部瑠夏, 川瀬明子, Sclaeger Judith, 高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第68回(公社)全日本鍼灸学会学術大会(名古屋)
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] The usefulness of acupuncture to the eSport athletes2019

    • Author(s)
      You HIRAMATSU, Tomoaki TAKANASHI, Hiroyoshi YAJIMA, Miho TAKAYAMA, Crystal L. PATIL, Judith M. SCHLAEGER, Nobuari TAKAKURA
    • Organizer
      2019 DiGRA JAPAN Summer Conference Program
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] 脳出血後に生じた肩関節痛と運動制限に対する鍼治療の効果 -表面筋電図による肩周囲筋活動の評価の有用性を示す症例-2019

    • Author(s)
      納部瑠夏, 奈須守洋, 平松燿, 内田裕, 田中智大, 喜多村崇, 荒木美紗江, 川上桃子, 高山美歩, 高倉伸有, 矢嶌裕義
    • Organizer
      2019 第38回 (公社)全日本鍼灸学会 関東支部学術集会
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] eスポーツ選手が抱える愁訴と鍼灸治療の有用性の検討-プロゲーマーに対するインタビュー調査-2019

    • Author(s)
      平松 燿, 高梨知揚, 矢嶌裕義, 高山美歩, Crystal L. Patil, Judith M. Schlaeger, 高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      日本デジタルゲーム学会第9回年次大会
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 鍼治療が膝蓋腱血液量に及ぼす影響ーダブルブラインド用鍼を用いて2019

    • Author(s)
      飯塚洋二朗、矢嶌裕義、高山美歩、高倉伸有、久保啓太郎
    • Organizer
      第74回日本体力医学会(茨城)
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 鍼感覚質問紙(日本語版MASS)を用いた鍼感覚の検討(第2報) -圧迫深度による鍼感覚の違い-2018

    • Author(s)
      西脇政子、矢嶌裕義、高山美歩、奈須守洋、大渕修哉、川瀬明子、平川稚佳子、高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第67回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 下顎部の痛みに対する鍼の効果に関する基礎的研究 -ダブルブラインド用鍼を用いて-2018

    • Author(s)
      大渕修哉、高山美歩、西脇政子、奈須守洋、川瀬明子、平川稚佳子、矢嶌裕義、高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第67回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 安全鍼および今井式クリーンニードルの安全性の検証2018

    • Author(s)
      菅原正秋、高山美歩、矢嶌裕義、高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第67回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] ダブルブラインド用非刺入鍼による皮膚感覚と患者ブラインド効果2018

    • Author(s)
      奈須守洋、高山美歩、矢嶌裕義、西脇政子、平川稚佳子、高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第37回全日本鍼灸学会関東支部学術集会
    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 鍼感覚質問紙(日本語版MASS)を用いた鍼感覚の検討(第1報)-刺入深度による鍼感覚の違い-2017

    • Author(s)
      西脇政子、矢嶌裕義、高山美歩、奈須守洋、大渕修哉、高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第66回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Double-blind acupuncture needles: A multi-needle, multi-session feasibility study.2017

    • Author(s)
      Schlaeger JM, Takakura N, Yajima H, Takayama M, Steffen AD, Gabzdyl EM, Nisi RA, McGowan Gruber KM, Bussell JM, Wilkie DJ.
    • Organizer
      University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Research on Women and Gender, Women's Health Research Day.
    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] No Penetrating Sensations with Japanese Acupuncture?2016

    • Author(s)
      Hiroyoshi Yajima, Miho Takayama, Akiko Kawase, Chikako Hirakawa, Nobuari Takakura
    • Organizer
      WFAS Tokyo/Tsukuba 2016 (世界鍼灸学会連合会学術大会)
    • Place of Presentation
      つくば国際会議場
    • Year and Date
      2016-11-05
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] The Japanese Version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale: Validation2016

    • Author(s)
      Masako Nishiwaki, Miho Takayama, Hiroyoshi Yajima, Morihiro Nasu, Syuya Ohbuchi, Junko Hirota, Nobuari Takakura
    • Organizer
      WFAS Tokyo/Tsukuba 2016 (世界鍼灸学会連合会学術大会)
    • Place of Presentation
      つくば国際会議場
    • Year and Date
      2016-11-05
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Double-blind Acupuncture Needles: A Multineedle, Multisession Feasibility Study2016

    • Author(s)
      Judith M. Schlaeger, Nobuari Takakura, Hiroyoshi Yajima, Miho Takayama, Alana D. Steffen, Elizabeth M. Gabzdyl, Diana J. Wilkie
    • Organizer
      International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
    • Place of Presentation
      パシフィコ横浜
    • Year and Date
      2016-09-26
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] 皮膚に接触する鍼による鎮痛効果 -ダブルブラインド法を用いて-2016

    • Author(s)
      高山美歩, 矢嶌裕義, 川瀬明子, 高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第65回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Place of Presentation
      北海道 札幌コンベンションセンター
    • Year and Date
      2016-06-10
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] ダブルブラインド用非刺入鍼による皮膚感覚と患者ブラインド効果2016

    • Author(s)
      奈須守洋, 高山美歩, 矢嶌裕義, 広田順子, 西脇政子, 平川稚佳子, 高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第65回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Place of Presentation
      北海道 札幌コンベンションセンター
    • Year and Date
      2016-06-10
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 鍼感覚質問紙「日本語版MASS(案)」の信頼性と妥当性の検討 -合谷穴への鍼刺激によるパイロット試験-2016

    • Author(s)
      西脇政子, 高山美歩, 矢嶌裕義, 奈須守洋, 広田順子, 高倉伸有
    • Organizer
      第65回全日本鍼灸学会学術大会
    • Place of Presentation
      北海道 札幌コンベンションセンター
    • Year and Date
      2016-06-10
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report

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Published: 2016-04-21   Modified: 2022-02-21  

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