2.4. Explanation to Patients
neck/shoulder stiffness
At the beginning of the study, we informed patients that they were going to be randomized to one of four groups: penetrating treatment, skin-touch placebo treatment, no-touch placebo treatment, or no-treatment control. If they were assigned to the no-treatment control group, they could receive real acupuncture treatment for neck/shoulder stiffness after completion of the trial if they desired.