Validation of a Newly Developed Sham Press Needle

Validation of a Newly Developed Sham Press Needle

This is a single blind randomised controlled trial involving healthy volunteers to determine feasibility and blinding property of two types of sham press needles.

A total of 84 healthy volunteers will be recruited and randomly allocated to receive real needles (RN), previously validated Kim Sham needles (KS), or newly developed Ring Sham needles (RS) at a 1:1:1 ratio. Acupuncture sensation, blinding, and feasibility in a future clinical trial will be measured along with other physiological measurements including tactile sensitivity, interoceptive sensitivity, and electrodermal activity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age over 18
• not participating in other clinical studies at the time of study participation
• voluntary participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• not satisfying the inclusion criteria
• pregnancy or breast-feeding at the time of study participation
• open sores or skin diseases on the non-dominant elbow or ear where needles would be placed
• having taken analgesics in 24 hours before participation
• any other diseases or conditions that might prevent the participant from receiving acupuncture