Validity of the N-of-1 Test in Assessing the Efficacy of Acupuncture

Abstract

N-of-1 trials can evaluate the effectiveness of various specialized interventions in a number of patients who differ in several ways. They are easy to adopt for an exploratory study. The characteristics of the n-of-1 trial seem to be suitable for acupuncture research and the use of n-of-1 trials in acupuncture has been recommended4,13). However, the n-of-1 trial is not appropriate in cases where acupuncture treatments have long-lasting or irreversible effects. Moreover it has been pointed out that the results of n-of-1 trials cannot be easily generalized.14) Here we propose a unique protocol of n-of-1 trials that allows generalization from the results obtained from each patient attending an acupuncture clinic.