The Acupuncture Research and Treatment Association, ARTA, completed a pilot research project in the spring of 1994 to document the effect of acupuncture on symptomatic HIV/AIDS patients employing structured assessment tools to describe symptoms and quality of life. This effort was a collaboration of an MD, PhDs and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioners. This paper describes, not simply the pilot results, but focuses on the process of developing meaningful collaborations, methodological issues and the importance of pilot projects as a foundation for research. Various research designs, methods and biases are discussed within the context of both developing and performing acupuncture research within the Western medical facilities. Finding a balance between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western science is explored, as are difficulties and benefits of placebo acupuncture research.

This pilot was an add-on clinical trial of the impact of Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture on symptomatic HIV/AIDS patients, class B or C, who were not abusing non-prescription drugs, had stable medications for at least one month prior to enrollment and who were not exhibiting confusion or disorientation to a degree that would prevent clear consent. Six patients enrolled after giving informed consent. This was a within-subjects design in which patients were monitored weekly by structured assessment tools. The first month, patients were monitored without treatment. The second month they were provided with weekly acupuncture and in the third month they were monitored without treatment. Using conservative methods, including adjustment for multiple questions, significant improvement (p<0.05) occurred in the number of symptoms, appetite and pain frequency. Improvement in symptom number was persistent up to four weeks following acupuncture, whereas appetite and pain frequency (in this short treatment scenario) appeared to be more of an immediate positive result.