La acupuntura desde la perspectiva experimental
Palabras clave:
acupuntura, estudios clínicos, investigación básica, placeboResumen
En el presente artículo se describe el estado actual de la acupuntura desde la perspectiva de la investigación clínica y experimental. Se hace hincapié en las variables intrínsecas al tratamiento con acupuntura, la planificación del tratamiento según la Medicina Tradicional China y su participación en ensayos clínicos. Asimismo, se revisa la relación del placebo con los efectos de la acupuntura, así como la controversia del “control viable” en los estudios clínicos que señalan efectos inespecíficos. Por otra parte, se reseñan algunas evidencias experimentales obtenidas en modelos animales que muestran los efectos de la acupuntura y la electroacupuntura en diferentes órganos corporales. Finalmente se describe la importancia de establecer vínculos entre la investigación básica y la clínica para establecer el alcance del tratamiento con acupuntura.
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