One hundred and thirty patients with shoulder pain (cuff tendonitis, bicipital tendonitis, capsulitis etc.) were randomly assigned to receive either eight weekly true acupuncture treatments (local and distal points plus electro-acupuncture) or the same number of non-penetrating sham treatments (using a ‘stage dagger-type retracting placebo needle) plus sham electro-acupuncture. Blinded assessment by an independent assessor was made at seven weeks, three months and six months from the start of treatment. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score fell by 43% in the acupuncture group compared to 20% in the controls by the seventh week, an effect which was maintained at both subsequent assessments. Similar improvements were recorded in the Lattinen Index, pain and disability, range of movement, analgesic consumption and quality of life scores.

Pain 2004; 112: 289-98.