Positive Health Online

Abstract

MACPHERSON and co-workers, Foundation for Traditional Chinese Medicine, York, UK. hm18@york.ac.uk, have surveyed patient reports of adverse events following acupuncture treatment.

Background

The aim of the study was to establish from acupuncture patients the type and frequency of adverse events they experienced and attributed to their treatment.

Methodology

638 members of the British Acupuncture Council, or one in three, invited consecutive patients to participate in the postal survey. Participating patients gave baseline data and were followed up by the researchers at 3 months. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on perceived adverse events.

Results

9408 patients gave baseline information and 6348 (67%) completed the 3 month questionnaires. 682 patients reported at least one adverse event over 3 months, a rate of 107 per 1000 patients. Three patients reported a serious adverse event. The most common events reported were severe tiredness and exhaustion, pain at the site of needling, and headache. Patients receiving acupuncture treatment that was not funded by the NHS and patients not in contact with a GP or hospital specialist were less likely to report adverse events (odds ratios 0.59 and 0.66, respectively). 199 (3%) of responding patients reported receiving advice about conventional/prescribed medication, six of whom reported adverse consequences after taking the advice. Two patients reported delayed conventional treatment.

Conclusion

Patients report a range of adverse events but these do not prevent most patients seeking further acupuncture. This large-scale survey supports existing evidence that acupuncture is a relatively safe intervention when practised by regulated practitioners.

References

Macpherson H, Scullion A, Thomas KJ, Walters S. Patient reports of adverse events associated with acupuncture treatment: a prospective national survey. Quality & Safety in Health Care 13 (5): 349-355, Oct 2004.

Comment

The above research carried out in Canada, China and the UK demonstrates the international extent of acupuncture research.