2.1. Setting and Participants
neck/shoulder stiffness
The study was conducted at Japan School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Physiotherapy, and Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.We employed six (three males, three females) experienced and licensed acupuncturists (experience of acupuncture practice, mean ± standard deviation year: 12.5 ± 11.8 years), and recruit 400 volunteers with essential neck/shoulder stiffness. The study aim and protocol were explained to each practitioner and patient using a written consent form and the participants provided written consent.