Review Article

Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells

Table 3

Studies with evidence that acupuncture stimulation activates NK cells.

Authors, journal, year of publicationYu et al., J Neuroimmunol, 1998Yu et al., Jpn J Physiol, 1997Choi et al., Neurosci Letter, 2002
SubjectsBALBrc_qrq.mice, athymic BALBrc and ICR Inbred F344 ratsSprague-Dawley rats
nurnu mice, LE rats and New Zealand white rabbits

Treatment groupYesYesYes
Placebo control groupYesYesYes
Non-placebo control groupYesYesYes
Overall Jaded scorea232
Scored component items of the Jaded score
 Study described as randomized (Yes = 1; No = 0)000
 Randomization appropriate (Yes = 1; No = 1)000
 Subject blinded (Yes = 1; No = 0)111
 Evaluator blinded (Yes = 1; No = 0)111
 Subjects that withdrew and/or dropped out  Described (Yes = 1; No = 0)010

aUsed to assess quality of methods, with 5 being the highest score possible.