Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of CM, Beijing 100029, China.
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of CM, Beijing 100029.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2024 Feb 12;44(2):221-223. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230902-k0002.
The Elastic acupuncture needle, a set of clinical device used in randomized controlled trials of acupuncture is developed, which may potentially obtain the double-blind placebo control. This kind of acupuncture device consists of a real needle and a sham one (placebo needle) with a identical appearance. Either of the needle is composed of an integrated cap-type handle and needle body, and a sterile double-sided adhesive pad is designed on the bottom for fixation. A spring with miniature low profile is built in sham needle. During operation, the real needle can be normally inserted, while the sham one be retracted because of the elasticity generated by the pressure on the skin, but can still be felt by patients whenever the force difference between the skin and the spring reaches a certain balance. The rubber pad designed in this acupuncture needle can simulate the "resistance" felt by operators during needle insertion so that the double blinding is actualized in terms of the appearance and sensations.
弹性针灸针，一种在针灸的随机对照试验中使用的临床设备，已被开发出来，它可能具有潜在的双盲安慰剂对照效果。这种针灸设备由一个真针和一个假针（安慰剂针）组成，它们具有相同的外观。针由一个集成的帽式手柄和针体组成，底部设计有一个无菌双面胶垫用于固定。假针内置有一个微型低轮廓的弹簧。操作时，真针可以正常插入，而假针由于皮肤压力产生的弹性会缩回，但当皮肤和弹簧之间的力差达到一定平衡时，患者仍能感觉到。在这种针灸针中设计的橡胶垫可以模拟操作者在插入针时感觉到的“阻力”，从而实现外观和感觉上的双重盲法。
