Original Article · Originalarbeit

Treatment in a Randomized Multicenter Trial of Acupuncture for Migraine (ART Migraine)
K. Linde^a; A. Streng^a; A. Hoppe^a; B. Brinkhaus^b; C.M. Witt^b; M. Hammes^c; D. Irnich^d; J. Hummelsberger^e; S.N. Willich^b; D. Melchart^a,f*

^aCentre for Complementary Medicine Research, Department of Internal Medicine II, Technical University of Munich, ^bInstitute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, ^cDepartment of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, ^dDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Munich, ^eInternational Society for Chinese Medicine, Munich, Germany ^fDivision of Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland

Forsch Komplementmed 2006;13:101-108
(DOI: 10.1159/000091999)

  Summary

Background: This paper aims to describe the characteristics of physicians and interventions of a large, multicenter randomized trial of acupuncture for migraine (ART Migraine) in order to enable acupuncturists to assess the study interventions. Patients and Methods: 302 patients suffering from migraine were randomized to 12 sessions of semi-standardized acupuncture (6 predefined basic points, recommendations for optional individual choice of additional points given), standardized minimal acupuncture (superficial needling of at least 5 of 10 predefined, distant non-acupuncture points) or a waiting list. 30 physicians trained and experienced in acupuncture from 18 centers in Germany participated in the trial. Results: The median duration of acupuncture training of trial physicians was 500 h (range 140-1350). Physicians had acupuncture experience for 10 (<1 to 25) years and had treated 200 (60 to >1000) patients with acupuncture in the year preceding trial participation. The 6 basic points were needled in 76-93% of sessions. Compliance with treatment instructions varied considerably among centers in the acupuncture group. In contrast, compliance with the minimal acupuncture protocol was very good. 6 of the 30 physicians stated that they would have treated patients somewhat differently outside the trial, 1 completely differently. The trial found a significant effect of those treated with acupuncture compared to those on the waiting list for treatment, but minimal acupuncture was as effective as acupuncture. Conclusions: The treatment protocols for acupuncture and minimal acupuncture in ART Migraine appeared an adequate compromise in the specific situation and for the predefined purposes. However, a relevant minority of participating physicians would have treated patients differently outside the trial.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg