The CACTUS Study: Classical acupuncture treatment for people with unexplained symptoms

Persistent physical symptoms that cannot be explained by current Western medical knowledge make up between 11–19 per cent of GP consultations and up to 50 per cent of new referrals to outpatient clinics in the UK. Current treatment options for this large and distressed group of patients are limited. There is preliminary evidence that acupuncture based on Chinese medicine may be acceptable to patients and that treatment that is based on a different medical system, where no distinction is made between body, mind and spirit, may be particularly appropriate for this patient group. The aim of this study is to understand and quantify the effects of offering primary care patients with persistent medically unexplained symptoms the opportunity to integrate five-element acupuncture into their health care.
Visit the Peninsula Medical School's website