Several types of studies are used to evaluate acupuncture:
1. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): These are considered the gold standard for determining the efficacy of acupuncture. Participants are randomly assigned to either the treatment group or a control group. 2. Cohort Studies: These studies follow a group of people over time to see how acupuncture affects their health outcomes. 3. Case-Control Studies: These studies compare people with a specific condition who have received acupuncture to those who have not. 4. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: These compile data from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence.
