The Nonpenetrating Telescopic Sham Needle May Blind Patients with Different Characteristics and Experiences When Treated by Several Therapists

Table 2

The ability to correctly identify if verum or sham acupuncture was given (𝑛=190).

Variable	Verum acupuncture group	Sham acupuncture group
Certainty in statements of needling type 𝑛 (%)	𝑛=94^1	𝑛=94^1
Entirely sure on correct needling type	45 (48)	3 (3)
Fairly sure on correct needling type	29 (31)	8 (9)
Not sure at all, guessed correct needling type	13 (14)	6 (6)
Not sure at all, guessed opposite needling type	1 (1)	9 (10)
Fairly sure on opposite needling type	6 (6)	37 (39)
Entirely sure on opposite needling type	0 (0)	31 (33)
Blinding answer categories according to Bang’s Blinding index 𝑛 (%)	𝑛=95	𝑛=95
Stated: Needles penetrating the skin^2	74 (78)	68 (72)
Stated: Needles placed against the skin^2	6 (6)	11 (12)
Not sure at all, guessed	15 (16)^4	16 (17)^5
Bang’s blinding index^3	0.72 (0.60–0.83)	−0.60 (−0.74–−0.46)

The number (𝑛) of patients answering the blinding question is presented. Total 𝑛=190 of the entering 215 patients as 18 interrupted radiotherapy and/or verum/sham acupuncture and 7 did not provide data. ¹𝑛=94 since 1 patient stated he/she could not answer. ²The individuals were fairly or entirely sure of their answer. ³Correct answers/total 𝑛—incorrect answers/total 𝑛. ⁴13 guessed correct, 1 incorrect, and 1 stated he/she could not answer. ⁵6 guessed correct, 9 incorrect, and 1 stated he/she could not answer.