In this prospective, randomised, double-blinded, controlled study Austrian researchers tested the hypothesis that auricular electro-acupuncture relieves pain more effectively than conventional manual auricular acupuncture. They studied 21 chronic cervical pain patients without radicular symptoms with insufficient pain relief treated with standardised analgesic therapy. All patients received disposable acupuncture needles on the dominant side on the following acupuncture points: cervical spine, shen men and cushion. In 10 patients needles were continuously stimulated (2-mA constant current, 1 Hz monophasic) by using the electrical point stimulation device P-STIM. In 11 control patients, no electrical stimulation was administered. All needles were withdrawn 48 h after insertion. Acupuncture was performed once a week for 6 weeks. Patients had to complete a questionnaire assessing pain intensity, psychological well-being, activity, sleep and demand for rescue medication (lornoxicam and tramadol). The reduction in pain scores was significant in the electro-acupuncture group. Similarly, psychological well-being, activity and sleep were significantly improved in patients receiving electro-acupuncture, and consumption of rescue medication was significantly less.