Application of expertise-based pragmatic randomized controlled trial in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

According to clinical practice, the characteristics and issues of pragmatic randomized controlled trial(PRCT) and expertise-based randomized controlled trial (EBRCT) in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research were summarized. The characteristics of expertise-based pragmatic randomized controlled trial (EB-PRCT), which is the combination of above two, and its application in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical trial were explored. PRCT emphasizes the clinical practice, the positive control of standard therapy and the the blind performance on data collection and statistics. PRCT has the advantage of flexible grouping, nevertheless, it also has shortcomings such as higher cost and lack of typical subjects. EBRCT emphasizes the participation of professional acupuncturists, so that the therapeutic effect is ensured, the compliance of subjects and the bias of manipulation are improved. Thus, the replacement scheme of acupuncturists is essential in EBRCT. Having the complementary advantages, EB-PRCT provides a superior research method for acupuncture-moxibustion clinical trial, and leads to convincing results.