RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Acupuncture trials and informed consent
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 43
OP 44
DO 10.1136/jme.2006.016535
VO 33
IS 1
A1 F G Miller
A1 T J Kaptchuk
YR 2007
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/33/1/43.abstract
AB Participants are often not informed by investigators who conduct randomised, placebo-controlled acupuncture trials that they may receive a sham acupuncture intervention. Instead, they are told that one or more forms of acupuncture are being compared in the study. This deceptive disclosure practice lacks a compelling methodological rationale and violates the ethical requirement to obtain informed consent. Participants in placebo-controlled acupuncture trials should be provided an accurate disclosure regarding the use of sham acupuncture, consistent with the practice of placebo-controlled drug trials.