The AIDS Care Project in Boston has been providing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to people living with HIV/AIDS for over 11 years. Although ACP has conducted numerous observational studies, members of its Consumer Advocacy Board requested that a study be conducted to determine whether acupuncture could effectively control digestive side-effects of combination therapy. Challenges of the study included: 1)determining an effective, safe, comfortable, and acceptable treatment for side-effect management; 2)selecting a study design which allowed all participants to receive effective treatment; 3)keeping length of the study manageable and minimal for participants; 4)implementing a comparison treatment that was not placebo. A cross-over design was chosen fo this 6-week randomized, blinded study; each arm of the study consists of 4 points. The study began in January of 2001 and an update will be provided.
Learning Objectives: The process of soliciting and effectively using community feedback is one that involves developing mutual respect and trust. Participants interested in designing clinical trials will be able to balance three critical factors: honoring TCM and its practice; incorporating scientific study principles; accessing and valuing community input.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.