The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture

Background: Japanese acupuncture is gaining international recognition. However, previous research has failed to comprehensively describe the characteristics of Japanese acupuncture by not investigating it within the Japanese clinical environment. This qualitative ethnographic study aimed to identify...

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Main Authors: Benjamin Chant, Jeanne Madison, Paul Coop, Gudrun Dieberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-03-01
Series:Integrative Medicine Research
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422018301902
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author Benjamin Chant
Jeanne Madison
Paul Coop
Gudrun Dieberg
author_facet Benjamin Chant
Jeanne Madison
Paul Coop
Gudrun Dieberg
author_sort Benjamin Chant
collection DOAJ
description Background: Japanese acupuncture is gaining international recognition. However, previous research has failed to comprehensively describe the characteristics of Japanese acupuncture by not investigating it within the Japanese clinical environment. This qualitative ethnographic study aimed to identify unique and routine elements of Japanese acupuncture, describe these in detail and examine how they related to treatment principles. Methods: Between August 2012 and December 2016, ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Japan. Participants were recruited by chain referral and emergent sampling. Data were collected through participant observation and interviews as well as by analyzing documents. A total of 38 participants were recruited. A total of 22 agreed to clinical observation; 221 treatments were observed with 172 patients. Seventeen participants consented to participate in formal interviews and 28 to informal interviews. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate data. Results: That practitioners tended to confirm perceived effects of interventions during treatment, was a major theme interpreted from the data. Confirmation was performed continually throughout treatment and at three different levels of timing and anatomical areas (micro, meso and macro). Many markers signified treatment effects which were in general, perceived by observing and/or palpating body tissue. Belief in the instantaneous effects of treatment and the value of effect through technique exemplify the philosophical foundations of confirmation. Continually monitoring treatment results at a range of time and body location increments is an important element of Japanese acupuncture. Conclusion: This effect confirmation practice model promotes a system of constant feedback gained by repeated intervention and confirmation. This may be a unique feature of Japanese acupuncture. Keywords: Japanese acupuncture, Treatment, Confirmation, Effect
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spelling doaj-art-c439e549cf414ba28aa1aec2f4d3b71e2025-08-20T01:55:38ZengElsevierIntegrative Medicine Research2213-42202019-03-0181626910.1016/j.imr.2018.08.003The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupunctureBenjamin Chant0Jeanne Madison1Paul Coop2Gudrun Dieberg3Corresponding author at: Inner Path, 100 Barney St, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.; University of New England, AustraliaUniversity of New England, AustraliaUniversity of New England, AustraliaUniversity of New England, AustraliaBackground: Japanese acupuncture is gaining international recognition. However, previous research has failed to comprehensively describe the characteristics of Japanese acupuncture by not investigating it within the Japanese clinical environment. This qualitative ethnographic study aimed to identify unique and routine elements of Japanese acupuncture, describe these in detail and examine how they related to treatment principles. Methods: Between August 2012 and December 2016, ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Japan. Participants were recruited by chain referral and emergent sampling. Data were collected through participant observation and interviews as well as by analyzing documents. A total of 38 participants were recruited. A total of 22 agreed to clinical observation; 221 treatments were observed with 172 patients. Seventeen participants consented to participate in formal interviews and 28 to informal interviews. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate data. Results: That practitioners tended to confirm perceived effects of interventions during treatment, was a major theme interpreted from the data. Confirmation was performed continually throughout treatment and at three different levels of timing and anatomical areas (micro, meso and macro). Many markers signified treatment effects which were in general, perceived by observing and/or palpating body tissue. Belief in the instantaneous effects of treatment and the value of effect through technique exemplify the philosophical foundations of confirmation. Continually monitoring treatment results at a range of time and body location increments is an important element of Japanese acupuncture. Conclusion: This effect confirmation practice model promotes a system of constant feedback gained by repeated intervention and confirmation. This may be a unique feature of Japanese acupuncture. Keywords: Japanese acupuncture, Treatment, Confirmation, Effecthttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422018301902
spellingShingle Benjamin Chant
Jeanne Madison
Paul Coop
Gudrun Dieberg
The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture
Integrative Medicine Research
title The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture
title_full The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture
title_fullStr The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture
title_full_unstemmed The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture
title_short The confirmation of treatment effects in Japanese acupuncture
title_sort confirmation of treatment effects in japanese acupuncture
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422018301902
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