Table 5 Descriptions of the four common methods of sham-acupuncture
Advantages | Limitations | Indications |
|---|---|---|
Sham-acupuncture | ||
 Fine masking | Not suitable | Insistent estimation |
 Low stimulation | For all acupoints | Without EA history |
| Â | Â | Acupoints on back |
Non-acupoints | ||
 Fine masking | Can’t avoid | Different ganglion segment |
 Better feasibility | Physiological effect | Without EA history |
Study on acupoints’ specificity | ||
Shallow acupuncture | ||
 Better masking | Narrow indication | Study on depths of needling |
 Low stimulation | ||
Non-disease-related acupuncture | ||
 Better masking | Low feasibility | Without EA history |
 Lowest bias | Study on acupoints’ specificity | |