Study: NCT02525445

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
Intervention: acupuncture
Description: acupuncture was administered (sharp needles diameter 0.25 x length 40 mm) bilaterally to the acupuncture point pericardium six (PC6) between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpii radialis at two body-inches (one body-inch approximately 1.5 cm) proximal to the wrist at 0.5 body-inch depth. The therapists manually manipulated the needles three times per treatment by rotating, thrusting or lifting the needles. When the participant reported a sense of numbness or soreness and the therapist noted a minimal muscular contraction around the needle.

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
Intervention: acupuncture
Description: acupuncture was administered (sharp needles diameter 0.25 x length 40 mm) bilaterally to the acupuncture point pericardium six (PC6) between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpii radialis at two body-inches (one body-inch approximately 1.5 cm) proximal to the wrist at 0.5 body-inch depth. The therapists manually manipulated the needles three times per treatment by rotating, thrusting or lifting the needles. When the participant reported a sense of numbness or soreness and the therapist noted a minimal muscular contraction around the needle.

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: SHAM_COMPARATOR
Intervention: sham acupuncture
Description: sham acupuncture was administrated (blunt needles diameter 0.25 x length 40 mm) bilaterally to a non-acupuncture point four body-inch proximal and one body-inch radial from the PC6 point, with the telescopic non-penetrating Park´s sham needle \[20\]. Park's credible needle looks identical to a real needle but glides upward into its handle, giving an illusion of penetration. A marking tube, identical for both acupuncture types, held the sham needle in place. The therapists manipulated the needles a few seconds three times per session until the needles touched the skin, but no needle sensation occurred, and then lifted the needles up from the skin.

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: SHAM_COMPARATOR
Intervention: sham acupuncture
Description: sham acupuncture was administrated (blunt needles diameter 0.25 x length 40 mm) bilaterally to a non-acupuncture point four body-inch proximal and one body-inch radial from the PC6 point, with the telescopic non-penetrating Park´s sham needle \[20\]. Park's credible needle looks identical to a real needle but glides upward into its handle, giving an illusion of penetration. A marking tube, identical for both acupuncture types, held the sham needle in place. The therapists manipulated the needles a few seconds three times per session until the needles touched the skin, but no needle sensation occurred, and then lifted the needles up from the skin.

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
Intervention: positive communication
Description: During the acupuncture treatment the therapist conveyed, at least three out of several positive statements, such as: Many acupuncture studies have shown excellent results concerning relaxation effects, Brain imaging studies show that acupuncture treatments affect areas that affect pulse, blood-pressure and muscle tension.

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: SHAM_COMPARATOR
Intervention: positive communication
Description: During the acupuncture treatment the therapist conveyed, at least three out of several positive statements, such as: Many acupuncture studies have shown excellent results concerning relaxation effects, Brain imaging studies show that acupuncture treatments affect areas that affect pulse, blood-pressure and muscle tension.

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
Intervention: neutral communication
Description: During the acupuncture treatment the therapists conveyed, at least three out of several neutral statements, such as: During treatment you will just lie down and rest and I will not talk so much to you, We don´t really know if acupuncture is a good method for relaxation effects; thus we need to perform this study,

Intervention type: PROCEDURE
Group type: SHAM_COMPARATOR
Intervention: neutral communication
Description: During the acupuncture treatment the therapists conveyed, at least three out of several neutral statements, such as: During treatment you will just lie down and rest and I will not talk so much to you, We don´t really know if acupuncture is a good method for relaxation effects; thus we need to perform this study,