Table 1.

Searching items for identifying articles in MEDLINE.

Number	Search terms
1	randomized controlled trial.pt.
2	controlled clinical trial.pt.
3	(randomized or randomised).ab.
4	placebo.ab.
5	randomly.ab.
6	trial.ab.
7	groups.ab.
8	1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7
9	expectation∗.ab,ti. {including related terms}
10	expectancy.ab,ti. {including related terms}
11	placebo.ab,ti. {including related terms}
12	specific effect∗.ab,ti. {including related terms}
13	non-specific effect∗.ab,ti. {including related terms}
14	9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13
15	acupuncture.sh, ti, ab. {including related terms}
16	ear acupuncture.sh, ti, ab. {including related terms}
17	electroacupuncture.ab,ti. {including related terms}
18	acupuncture point∗.ab,ti. {including related terms}
19	acupressure∗.ab,ti. {including related terms}
20	meridians∗.ab,ti. {including related terms}
21	15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20
22	8 and 14
23	21 and 22