Observational studyBMC complementary and alternative medicine2017
Predicting adherence to acupuncture appointments for low back pain: a prospective observational study.
Observational study in BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- 'It might help, but it won't fix me': a qualitative study of individuals' beliefs about manual therapy for low back pain.Chiropractic & manual therapies · 2026Article
- Perspectives on Pain: A Narrative Review of Pain Beliefs, Coping, and Clinical Implications.Journal of pain research · 2026Review
- Article
- Effect of Telephone Call and Text Message Reminders on Patient Return to Acupuncture Follow-Up Treatment: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Medical acupuncture · 2021Article
- Global Well-Being Is Associated With A1C and Frequency of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Predominately Latinx Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association · 2021Article
- Testing the Traditional Chinese Medicine Consultation Model for Adherence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2020Article
- Desperately seeking a cure: Treatment seeking and appraisal in irritable bowel syndrome.British journal of health psychology · 2018Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAcupuncture is a popular form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but it is not clear why patients do (or do not) follow acupuncturists' treatment recommendations. This study aimed to investigate theoretically-derived predictors of adherence to acupuncture.
methodsIn a prospective study, adults receiving acupuncture for low back pain completed validated questionnaires at baseline, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Patients and acupuncturists reported attendance. Logistic regression tested whether illness perceptions, treatment beliefs, and treatment appraisals measured at 2 weeks predicted attendance at all recommended acupuncture appointments.
resultsThree hundred twenty-four people participated (aged 18-89 years, M = 55.9, SD = 14.4; 70% female). 165 (51%) attended all recommended acupuncture appointments. Adherence was predicted by appraising acupuncture as credible, appraising the acupuncturist positively, appraising practicalities of treatment positively, and holding pro-acupuncture treatment beliefs. A multivariable logistic regression model including demographic, clinical, and psychological predictors, fit the data well (χ
conclusionsThe results partially support the dynamic extended common-sense model for CAM use. As hypothesised, attending all recommended acupuncture appointments was predicted by illness perceptions, treatment beliefs, and treatment appraisals. However, experiencing early changes in symptoms did not predict attendance. Acupuncturists could make small changes to consultations and service organisation to encourage attendance at recommended appointments and thus potentially improve patient outcomes.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.