Analgesic effects of acupuncture on the pain of ice water: A double-blind study.

Under double-blind conditions, 30 female college students were randomly assigned to either an acupuncture condition or 1 of 2 placebo conditions, and then tested on the same standardized pain task (immersion of hand in ice water). The pain ratings of the acupuncture group were significantly lower than the ratings of the placebo groups. Results support the position that acupuncture analgesia has a physiological basis, and is not simply due to suggestion. (French summary) (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)