Proposing a novel research method for acupoint selection

Introduction

Acupoint selection in both clinical trials and practice is predominantly informed by traditional theory and experience rather than clinical or mechanistic research. In-clinic acupoint testing methods are used by some practitioners to help determine acupoint selection based on patient feedback, but to date no quantitative data on these approaches has been published. This paper reports preliminary data where an acupoint testing method was utilised to help inform acupoint selection. These results were then used to develop a theoretical framework to validate the acupoint testing approach as a novel research method.

Methods

Preliminary data on the acupoint testing method was collected as part of a routine clinic audit from a single private practice in the UK using an electronic health record (EHR) and included; patient clinical demographic data, health complaints categorised according to the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2) codes and patient outcomes using a Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale. The acupoint testing method used acupressure and/or acupuncture on acupoints to establish whether there was an immediate positive therapeutic effect for a patient for either; i) local areas of pain, ii) restricted/painful range of movements (ROM) and/or iii) acute symptoms related to a patients’ health complaint.

Results

A total of 506 acupoint tests were recorded from 398 treatments delivered to 74 patients (63.5% female, 36.5% male, mean age 58 years) presenting with predominantly chronic (77.1%) musculoskeletal (65.7%) issues. Tests were recorded for 61/74 (82.4%) patients and the mean number of tests per patient was 8.3. The majority of test results were positive (78.5%). For most patients at least one positive and negative test was recorded (52.5%). Solely positive tests were recorded for 44.3% of patients and soley negative tests were recorded for 3.3% of patients. The mixture of positive and negative test results suggests acupoint specificity may be clinically relevant.

Conclusion

Preliminary data suggests the testing method was versatile and useful for informing acupoint selection in clinical practice. Further research is required to establish its validity and reliability. The acupoint testing approach may represent a valuable new research method to help inform acupoint selection for both clinical trials and practice.