Placebo and Acupuncture vs Acupuncture for Dogs

Compare and contrast.
A study looking AGAIN at acupuncture for osteoarthritis after the biggest study ever done on acupuncture put the placebo issue to rest. Why don’t we see this scrutiny with anti-depressant studies? Or stents? There can actually be some hazards with either of those…
Meanwhile other groups are moving on and using acupuncture in dogs for post operative pain. Because it’s all about the placebo effect…

Practice, practitioner, or placebo? A multifactorial, mixed-methods randomized controlled trial of acupuncture.
White P, Bishop FL, Prescott P, Scott C, Little P, Lewith G
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, UK.
Abstract
The individual practitioner and the patient’s belief had a significant effect on outcome. The 2 placebos were equally as effective and credible as acupuncture. Needle and nonneedle placebos are equivalent. An unknown characteristic of the treating practitioner predicts outcome, as does the patient’s belief (independently). Beliefs about treatment veracity shape how patients self-report outcome, complicating and confounding study interpretation.

Electroanalgesia for the postoperative control pain in dogs.
Cassu RN, Silva DA, Genari Filho T, Stevanin H.Acta Cir Bras. 2012 Jan;27(1):43-8.
Unoeste, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
To evaluate the analgesic and neuroendocrine effects of electroanalgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
RESULTS: EA and EAD- treated dogs had lower pain scores than DER treated dogs one hour postoperatively. Fewer EA and EAD-treated dogs required rescue analgesia. Serum cortisol did not differ among treatments.
CONCLUSION:Preoperative application of electrical stimuli to acupuncture points isolated or in combination with peri-incisional dermatomes provides a reduced postoperative opioid requirement and promotes an effective analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohyterectomy.
So do dogs’ beliefs influence outcomes too?
Info on my practice here.