Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis

Subjects in the acupuncture group received traditional acupuncture. The needles were inserted to induce a sense of 'getting qi' and left in place for 30 minutes.

Sterile disposable retractable needles and a fake placebo acupuncture device are used for sham acupuncture. The acupuncturist attached the base of the sham acupuncture device to the acupoints, and then inserted sterile disposable blunt-tipped retractable needles into the tubes; when the blunt tips touched the skin, the needles retracted into the handles, and there was no sensation of getting qi.