Holgeir Skjeie

• Natvik, Marianne; Brekke, Mette; Vangen, Siri & Skjeie, Holgeir (2026). Finding sense of coherence in the menopause transition - A qualitative interview study with menopausal women in Norway. Women's Health. ISSN 1745-5057. 22. doi: https:/journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17455057261459816. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Women express lack of knowledge about the menopause transition, finding it hard to understand and navigate symptoms. This period may negatively influence quality of life and level of functioning. Objectives To explore menopausal women’s experiences, perspectives and coping strategies to comprehend, manage and find meaning in the menopausal transition. Design Individual interviews of women with different backgrounds and menopausal experiences, recruited by hairdressers in Norway. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 women in 2024. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The theory of Salutogenesis and Sense of Coherence developed by Antonovsky, was used as guiding theoretical lens. Results Three main themes were developed, incorporating the intercorrelated aspects of Sense of Coherence : Comprehensibility, Manageability and Meaningfulness. 1. A transition from the unknown to normalisation – without knowledge, understanding menopausal changes was challenged, but normalisation of menopause gave comprehension. 2. From distress and silence to empowerment – manageability increased with comprehension, discussions with other women and knowledge dissemination, but was challenged by inadequate health care. 3. Finding meaning in the change menopause brings – meaningfulness motivated to seek understanding and coping strategies, and gave acceptance and value to this transition, although often accompanied by an undesirable sense of aging. Conclusions This study shows the importance of enhancing knowledge among women, the public and general practitioners to understand and manage menopause, and to improve menopausal care and women’s quality of life.

• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2025). Patients’ perspectives regarding antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative interview study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 43(3), p. 693–701. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2025.2498510. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The prescription rate for antibiotics for acute sinusitis in primary care remains high, despite evidence showing their limited effectiveness. GPs frequently encounter patient demands for antibiotics, which can influence their decision-making process. Aim This study aimed to explore the help-seeking and expectations of patients experiencing symptoms of acute sinusitis, with a particular focus on their desire for antibiotics. We sought to understand why patients seek their GP for sinusitis, what kind of treatment they hope to receive, and how they perceive their influence on the GP’s treatment decision. Methods We conducted 12 semi-structured interviews with patients who had consulted their GP for acute sinusitis from various regions across Norway. The qualitative analysis was performed using systematic text condensation. Results We developed 3 main themes:1. ‘Pain and exhaustion’- Patients primarily consulted their GP for acute sinusitis seeking medication to alleviate pain and accelerate recovery.2. ‘I trust the GP, but mainly myself’- While patients expressed trust in their GPs, they also had clear expectations of receiving the specific treatment they sought. 3. ‘Antibiotics works’- Most patients associated medication with antibiotics and believed they were effective against sinusitis. Conclusion Patients with sinusitis primarily visited their GP to seek relief from pain and to obtain medication that they believe could speed up recovery, which often meant antibiotics. These findings suggest a continuing need for measures targeting both doctors and patients to align treatment expectations, improve adherence to clinical guidelines, and adjust patient expectations. Better pain management of sinusitis should be emphasized.

• Brunsvig-Engemoen, Fredrik; Romøren, Maria & Skjeie, Holgeir (2024). Samtaler med pasienter om døden – erfarne fastlegers refleksjoner og erfaringer. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 144(13). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.24.0093. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Bakgrunn Den aldrende befolkningen i Norge øker stadig, og kommunehelsetjenesten, inkludert fastlegene, har fått flere og mer komplekse oppgaver i å ivareta pasientene. Formålet med studien var å undersøke hvordan erfarne fastleger gjennomførte og reflekterte rundt samtaler med pasientene om døden. Materiale og metode Semistrukturerte dybdeintervjuer med ti erfarne fastleger, alle spesialister i allmennmedisin, ble analysert med tematisk tverrgående analyse. Resultater Nesten alle fastlegene anså det å snakke om døden med sine pasienter som en naturlig del av fastlegeoppgaven. Samtalene ble oppfattet som både utfordrende og meningsfulle. Det å ha nok tid til samtalen og det å kjenne pasientene over tid ble vurdert som verdifulle faktorer for gode samtaler. Fastlegene lette etter gylne øyeblikk for å ta opp temaet. Innholdet i samtalen kunne variere, fra konkrete symptomlindrende tiltak til det mer eksistensielle og filosofiske. De ga uttrykk for at de manglet formalkompetanse og baserte seg i stor grad på erfaring og tro på egne kommunikasjonsevner. Manglende avklaring av behandlingsintensitet fra spesialisttjenestens side ble av flere beskrevet som en hemmer for god initiering og gjennomføring av samtaler om døden. Fortolkning De fleste fastlegene i denne studien snakket med pasientene sine om døden og oppfattet det som en naturlig og nødvendig del av fastlegerollen.

• Myklestul, Hans-Christian; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette & Skonnord, Trygve (2024). ‘Shades of grey’: a focus group study on diagnostic uncertainty among general practitioners using point-of-care ultrasound. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2423242. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has long been a diagnostic tool in family medicine, although most Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) who use POCUS, scans infrequently. The broad scope of family medicine, the relatively low prevalence of illnesses and infrequent use of POCUS imply that GPs may experience diagnostic uncertainty regularly. Aim To explore how GPs perceived and managed diagnostic uncertainty when using POCUS. Design and setting A qualitative focus group study among Norwegian GPs using POCUS. Methods Four focus group discussions were conducted. Total number of participants were 21. The interview guide was piloted, the focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed, and Systematic Text Condensation, a thematic cross-case analysis, was used to analyse the data. Results Diagnostic uncertainty using POCUS was considered as aligning to the general clinical uncertainties in family medicine, but there were also POCUS-specific uncertainties in clinical decision-making. We generated six themes: emotional, cognitive, and ethical uncertainty using POCUS, communicating uncertainty to patients, interaction with specialists when using POCUS, and coping strategies of participants. POCUS results were the only results the participants sometimes withheld when communicating with other specialists. POCUS itself stimulated a renewed interest in family medicine. Scanning enough patients was the recommended coping strategy. Conclusion POCUS-using GPs experienced diagnostic uncertainty when using POCUS that aligned with other diagnostic uncertainties they experienced in everyday practice. However, they did not treat the results like other findings, as the GPs at times withheld their POCUS findings when interacting with secondary care specialists. This requires further investigation.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Skjeie, Holgeir & Høye, Sigurd (2024). Quality improvement work in general practice; a Norwegian focus group study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2380920. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Quality improvement work is an essential feature of healthcare services, including general practice. In this study, we aimed to gain more knowledge regarding general practitioners’ (GPs) motivation for such work in their practices, as well as what kind of measures were considered motivating and feasible. Materials and methods We conducted five focus group interviews among Norwegian GPs between November 2021 and November 2022. We included 21 GPs of varying age, gender, experience, and geographic situation. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed by Systematic Text Condensation, a thematic cross-case analysis. Results Many GPs had a diverse and imprecise understanding of the term quality improvement, and sound routines in everyday practice were often given as examples of quality improvement measures. There was a universal attitude that quality improvement initiatives should be close to practice, professionally relevant, and sufficiently small to be manageable. The availability of professional communities, either in the GP practices or in continuous medical education groups, was important for motivation. The role of nurses and health secretaries was highlighted as essential to achieve change. Participants commonly described negative reactions to programs that were imposed by external actors without regard for the GPs’ perceived needs. Conclusion GPs were motivated for quality improvement measures provided feasibility within the framework of general practice. Well-functioning professional communities, including involvement of nurses and health-secretaries, were emphasised as requisite for quality improvement. Small scale quality improvement programs suited for the needs of general practice were well received and should be further developed.

• Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette & Skonnord, Trygve (2024). General practitioners’ reflections on prescribing addictive hypnotics to elderly: a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice Open. 8(4), p. 1–9. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0157. Full text in Research Archive
• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2023). Decisions regarding antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative focus group study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2274328. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Acute sinusitis is a frequent reason for primary care visits. Most patients recover within two weeks without antibiotic treatment. Despite this, about 50% of patients with acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice are still prescribed antibiotics. We do not know the reason behind this discrepancy. Aim To explore the clinical decision-making process and reasons for treatment with antibiotics for acute sinusitis among Norwegian general practitioners (GPs). Methods Five focus group interviews were conducted (N = 25) in different parts of Norway, including GPs of various age, gender, and experience. The interviews were analysed using Systematic Text Condensation. Results The results showed a very diverse management of acute sinusitis among GPs, with decisions regarding antibiotics not always aligning with guideline recommendations. Many of the GPs did not agree with the Norwegian guidelines for antibiotics and chose something other than phenoxymethylpenicillin as their first choice. Clinical predictors emphasized in decision-making were pain complaints and patient exhaustion. Pragmatic factors such as weekday, travel plans, or a full waiting room could also influence the decision. Conclusion GPs found it difficult to identify when patients would benefit from antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis, and different strategies were used to make prescribing decisions. For several GPs the degree of pain was one of the decisive reasons for antibiotic prescribing, however the guidelines for antibiotics do not give sufficient advice regarding pain treatment. These results suggest a need for revaluation of guideline contents and the way they are communicated to GPs. Key Points We know that antibiotics are often overused in the treatment of acute sinusitis, but there is lack of knowledge about the reasons behind GPs decision to prescribe them. There were considerable variations in clinical decision-making regarding the treatment of acute sinusitis among Norwegian GPs. The patients’ pain level, as well as pragmatic factors, were important deciding factors in the prescription of antibiotics. Guidelines for treatment regarding acute sinusitis may include more emphasis on pain management.

• Natvik, Marianne; Gjelsvik, Bjørn E.; Vangen, Siri; Skjeie, Holgeir & Brekke, Mette (2023). Women's information needs about menopause: a cross-sectional survey in Norwegian general practice. British Journal of General Practice Open. 8(1), p. 1–8. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0127. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Research indicates that providing women with information about menopause can improve their attitude towards menopause and symptom experience. Nevertheless, information shared on this topic is often arbitrary. Aim Examine women’s information needs about menopause, and understand if, when, and from whom they want information. Design & setting A cross-sectional study among women in the waiting room of 54 general practice clinics in South-Eastern Norway, autumn 2022. Method Medical students recruited women in the clinics waiting room. A one-page study specific questionnaire was used, focusing on need for information about menopause. Results A total of 625 women were included, with a mean age of 44.4 years (SD 8.7). In all, 59% answered that they wanted information about menopause, and 81% of these wanted their general practitioner (GP) to inform them, from a median age of 45. According to the women, only 10% of GPs had addressed the topic. Higher education was a predictor for wanting information. A main driver of information needs was to help oneself in the present and in the future. In all, 33% did not want information. The main reasons were that they already possessed sufficient information, would take menopause as it comes, were too young, or were already postmenopausal. The gender of the GP did not influence the results. Conclusion Most women wanted information about menopause from their GP. The study emphasises the need for GPs to consider prioritising this discussion, and to keep up to date on recommendations and treatment options.

• Skonnord, Trygve; Fetveit, Arne; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth & Klovning, Atle [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Cost-effectiveness analysis of acupuncture compared with usual care for acute non-specific low back pain: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine. ISSN 0964-5284. 40(2), p. 123–132. doi: 10.1177/09645284211055747. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of a single treatment session of acupuncture, when applied in addition to usual care for acute low back pain (ALBP). Methods: Secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised controlled trial in Norwegian general practice. In total, 171 participants with ALBP ⩽14 days were randomised to a control group (CG) receiving usual care or to an acupuncture group (AG) receiving one additional session of Western medical acupuncture alongside usual care. Primary outcome measures for this cost-effectiveness analysis were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), health care costs and societal costs at days 28 and 365, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB). The NMB was calculated on the basis of the Norwegian cost-effectiveness threshold of NOK 275,000 (USD 35,628) per QALY gained. Missing data were replaced by multiple chained imputation. Results: Eighty-six participants in the CG and 81 in the AG were included in the analysis. We found no QALY gain at day 28. At day 365, the incremental QALY of 0.035 was statistically significant. The differences in health care costs and societal costs were not statistically significant. Three out of four calculations led to negative ICERs (cost saving) and positive NMBs. For the health care perspective at day 365, the ICER was USD –568 per QALY and the NMB was USD 1265, with 95.9% probability of acupuncture being cost-effective. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first cost-effectiveness analysis of acupuncture for ALBP. The findings indicate that acupuncture may be cost-effective from a 1-year perspective, but more studies are needed. Trial registration number: NCT01439412 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Klovning, Atle; Grotle, Margreth & Aas, Eline [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: a randomised, controlled, multicentre intervention study in general practice—the Acuback study. BMJ Open. 10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034157. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a single treatment session of acupuncture, when applied in addition to standard treatment for acute low back pain (ALBP), reduces the time to recovery compared with standard treatment alone. Design: A multicentre, randomised, controlled trial. Setting: Conducted at 11 Norwegian general practitioners’ (GPs’) offices. Participants: 171 adults aged 20–55 years seeking their GP for ALBP (≤14 days) between March 2014 and March 2017. Patients with secondary back pain and previous sick leave and acupuncture treatment was excluded. Interventions: The participants were randomised to either the control group (CG) or the acupuncture group (AG) by online software. The CG received standard treatment according to the Norwegian guidelines, while the AG received one session of Western medical acupuncture treatment in addition to standard treatment. The statistician was blinded to group status. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was median days to recovery. Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, global improvement, back- specific functional status, sick leave, medication and adverse effects. Results: 185 participants were randomised, 95 in the CG and 90 in the AG. 14 participants did not receive the allocated intervention and 4 were excluded from the analysis. Thus, 167 participants were included in the analysis, 86 in the CG and 81 in the AG. The groups were similar according to baseline characteristics. The median time to recovery was 14 days for the CG and 9 days for the AG, HR 1.37 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.96), (p=0.089). No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: We did not find any statistically significant reduction in time- to- recovery after a single session of acupuncture for ALBP compared with standard care.

• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Brekke, Mette; Klovning, Atle; Fetveit, Arne & Landgren, Kajsa [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Acupuncture treatments for infantile colic: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of blinding test validated randomised controlled trials. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 36(1), p. 56–69. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2018.1426146. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: Needle acupuncture in small children has gained some acceptance in Western medicine. It is controversial, as infants and toddlers are unable to consent to treatment. We aimed to assess its efficacy for treating infantile colic. Design: A systematic review and a blinding-test validation based on individual patient data from randomised controlled trials. Primary end-points were crying time at mid-treatment, at the end of treatment and at a 1-month follow-up. A 30-min mean difference (MD) in crying time between acupuncture and control was predefined as a clinically important difference. Pearson’s chi-squared test and the James and Bang indices were used to test the success of blinding of the outcome assessors [parents]. Eligibility criteria and data sources: We included randomised controlled trials of acupuncture treatments of infantile colic. Systematic searches were conducted in Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and AMED, and in the Chinese language databases CNKI, VIP, Wang fang, SinoMed and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Results: We included three randomised controlled trials with data from 307 participants. Only one of the included trials obtained a successful blinding of the outcome assessors in both the acupuncture and control groups. The MD in crying time between acupuncture intervention and no acupuncture control was −24.9 min [95% confidence interval, CI −46.2 to −3.6; three trials] at mid-treatment, −11.4 min [95% CI −31.8 to 9.0; three trials] at the end of treatment and −11.8 min [95% CI −62.9 to 39.2; one trial] at the 4-week follow-up. The corresponding standardised mean differences [SMDs] were −0.23 [95% CI −0.42 to −0.06], −0.10 [95% CI −0.29 to 0.08] and −0.09 [95% CI −0.48 to 0.30]. The heterogeneity was negligible in all analyses. The statistically significant result at mid-treatment was lost when excluding the apparently unblinded study in a sensitivity analysis: MD −13.8 min [95%CI −37.5 to 9.9] and SMD −0.13 [95%CI −0.35 to 0.09]. The registration of crying during treatment suggested more crying during acupuncture [odds ratio 7.7; 95% CI 2.7–20.6; one trial]. GRADE-Moderate quality evidence. Conclusions: Percutaneous needle acupuncture treatments should not be recommended for infantile colic on a general basis.

• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Steen, Finn; Skjeie, Holgeir; Fetveit, Arne; Brekke, Mette & Klovning, Atle (2016). Survey Email Scheduling and Monitoring in eRCTs (SESAMe): A Digital Tool to Improve Data Collection in Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR). ISSN 1439-4456. 18(11), p. e311–e311. doi: 10.2196/jmir.6560. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Electronic questionnaires can ease data collection in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in clinical practice. We found no existing software that could automate the sending of emails to participants enrolled into an RCT at different study participant inclusion time points. Objective: Our aim was to develop suitable software to facilitate data collection in an ongoing multicenter RCT of low back pain (the Acuback study). For the Acuback study, we determined that we would need to send a total of 5130 emails to 270 patients recruited at different centers and at 19 different time points. Methods: The first version of the software was tested in a pilot study in November 2013 but was unable to deliver multiuser or Web-based access. We resolved these shortcomings in the next version, which we tested on the Web in February 2014. Our new version was able to schedule and send the required emails in the full-scale Acuback trial that started in March 2014. The system architecture evolved through an iterative, inductive process between the project study leader and the software programmer. The program was tested and updated when errors occurred. To evaluate the development of the software, we used a logbook, a research assistant dialogue, and Acuback trial participant queries. Results: We have developed a Web-based app, Survey Email Scheduling and Monitoring in eRCTs (SESAMe), that monitors responses in electronic surveys and sends reminders by emails or text messages (short message service, SMS) to participants. The overall response rate for the 19 surveys in the Acuback study increased from 76.4% (655/857) before we introduced reminders to 93.11% (1149/1234) after the new function (P<.001). Further development will aim at securing encryption and data storage. Conclusions: The SESAMe software facilitates consecutive patient data collection in RCTs and can be used to increase response rates and quality of research, both in general practice and in other clinical trial settings.

• Skjeie, Holgeir & Brekke, Mette (2015). 'Big needles, small bodies' - The absence of acupuncture treatment for infants in contemporary Shanghai: A qualitative study. BMJ Open. 5(11). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009486. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective To explore contemporary practices and clinical recommendations regarding the use of acupuncture for infants by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners in Shanghai. Design A qualitative study consisting of four field visits between February 2014 and March 2015. Data was collected using participant observation, focus group interview, in-depth interview, textbook page analysis and informant validation. Participants 14 Shanghainese professionals, including interpreters and TCM practitioners, of which seven were acupuncturists. Setting The Longhua Hospital (paediatric, acupuncture and Tui na departments) in southern Shanghai and the campus of the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Results The Longhua Hospital outpatient acupuncture clinic receives 400 consultations on average per day. Children, including patients from the paediatric department, are referred to this clinic. During 3 days of participant observations at this department, we saw two children. No infants. During 3 days at the paediatric department and 1 day at the Tui na department we saw no referrals. Formal interviews and informal conversations with acupuncturists and other TCM professionals revealed that acupuncture was neither routinely practiced nor recommended for infants and small children. Acupuncture was considered potentially painful for this young patient population. Alternative treatment options such as herbal treatments or medical massage were widely available and preferred. Western medical diagnostics and treatment were also used, recommended, and trusted. Conclusions Acupuncture for infants is not a preferred therapeutic method among TCM practitioners working in contemporary Shanghai. Acupuncture on broad indications in infants appears to be a Western practice with little basis in TCM modern-day practice.

• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2013). Acupuncture for infantile colic: A blinding-validated, randomized controlled multicentre trial in general practice. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 31(4), p. 190–196. doi: 10.3109/02813432.2013.862915. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective. Infantile colic is a painful condition in the first months of infancy. Acupuncture is used in Scandinavia as a treatment for infantile colic. A randomized controlled trial was carried out with the aim of testing the hypothesis that acupuncture treatment has a clinically relevant effect for this condition. Design. A prospective, blinding-validated, randomized controlled multicentre trial in general practice. Research assistants and parents were blinded. Setting. 13 GPs’ offices in Southern Norway. Intervention. Three days of bilateral needling of the acupuncture point ST36, with no treatment as control. Subjects. 113 patients were recruited; 23 patients were excluded, and 90 randomized; 79 diaries and 84 interviews were analysed. Main outcome measures. Difference in changes in crying time during the trial period between the intervention and control group. Results. The blinding validation questions showed a random distribution with p = 0.41 and 0.60, indicating true blinding. We found no statistically significant difference in crying time reduction between acupuncture and control group at any of the measured intervals, nor in the main analysis of differences in changes over time (p = 0.26). There was a tendency in favour of the acupuncture group, with a non-significant total baseline-corrected mean of 13 minutes (95% CI –24 to + 51) difference in crying time between the groups. This was not considered clinically relevant, according to protocol. Conclusion. This trial of acupuncture treatment for infantile colic showed no statistically significant or clinically relevant effect. With the current evidence, the authors suggest that acupuncture for infantile colic should be restricted to clinical trials.

• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2012). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: a protocol for a randomised, controlled multicentre intervention study in general practice--the Acuback Study. BMJ Open. 2(3). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001164. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction Some general practitioners (GPs) treat acute low back pain (LBP) with acupuncture, despite lacking evidence of its effectiveness for this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a single treatment session with acupuncture can reduce time to recovery when applied in addition to standard LBP treatment according to the Norwegian national guidelines. Analyses of prognostic factors for recovery and cost-effectiveness will also be carried out. Methods and analysis In this randomised, controlled multicentre study in general practice in Southern Norway, 270 patients will be allocated into one of two treatment groups, using a web-based application based on block randomisation. Outcome assessor will be blinded for group allocation of the patients. The control group will receive standard treatment, while the intervention group will receive standard treatment plus acupuncture treatment. There will be different GPs treating the two groups, and both groups will just have one consultation. Adults who consult their GP because of acute LBP will be included. Patients with nerve root affection, ‘red flags’, pregnancy, previous sick leave more than 14 days and disability pension will be excluded. The primary outcome of the study is the median time to recovery (in days). The secondary outcomes are rated global improvement, back-specific functional status, sick leave, medication, GP visits and side effects. A pilot study will be conducted. Ethics and dissemination Participation is based on informed written consent. The authors will apply for an ethical approval from the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics when the study protocol is published. Results from this study, positive or negative, will be disseminated in scientific medical journals.

• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2011). A pilot study of ST36 acupuncture for infantile colic. Acupuncture in Medicine. ISSN 0964-5284. 29(2), p. 103–107. doi: 10.1136/aim.2010.003590. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Nygaard, Siv; Li, Henrik Stenwig; Gardasevic, Bozidar; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2008). Sanitetstjeneste og pasientkontakter ved Quartfestivalen. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 128(13), p. 1508–1511. Full text in Research Archive
• Lie, Birgit & Skjeie, Holgeir (1996). Torturskader- en medisinsk utfordring. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 116, p. 1073–1075. Full text in Research Archive

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• Skonnord, Trygve; Skjeie, Holgeir & Louise, Lindhardt Christina (2025). How to engage medical students in curriculum and attendance; a mixed method study. Full text in Research Archive
• Nytrøen, Gunhild; Solberg, Lene Bergendal; Skjeie, Holgeir; Natvig, Bård; Rosseland, Leiv Arne & Skonnord, Trygve (2024). Reduced Opioid Use and Improved Quality of Life After Accidental Injuries; a Randomised Controlled Trial ─ A Study Protocol ─. Full text in Research Archive
• Nytrøen, Gunhild; Solberg, Lene Bergendal; Skjeie, Holgeir; Natvig, Bård; Rosseland, Leiv Arne & Skonnord, Trygve (2023). A Pain And Coordination plan for reduced opioid use and improved quality of life after accidental injuries; an RCT protocol. Full text in Research Archive
• Nytrøen, Gunhild; Solberg, Lene Bergendal; Skjeie, Holgeir; Natvig, Bård; Rosseland, Leiv Arne & Skonnord, Trygve (2023). A Pain and Coordination Plan for Reduced Opioid Use After Accidental Injuries. A Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol. Full text in Research Archive
• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2023). Decisions regarding antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative focus group study. Full text in Research Archive
• Nytrøen, Gunhild; Solberg, Lene Bergendal; Skjeie, Holgeir; Natvig, Bård; Rosseland, Leiv Arne & Skonnord, Trygve (2023). Kan en Smerte- Og Samhandlingsplan (SOS-plan) ved utskrivning etter alvorlig skade gi redusert opioidbruk og økt livskvalitet? Full text in Research Archive
• Myklestul, Hans-Christian; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette & Skonnord, Trygve (2022). Fifty shades of grey and clinical uncertainty; a focus group study among general practitioners using point-of-care ultrasound as a part of clinical decision making. Full text in Research Archive
• Myklestul, Hans-Christian; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette & Skonnord, Trygve (2022). Fifty shades of grey and clinical uncertainty; Focus group study among general practitioners using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as a part of clinical decision making. Full text in Research Archive
• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2022). Avgjørelser knyttet til bruk av antibiotika mot sinusitt i Norsk allmennpraksis. En kvalitativ fokusgruppe studie. Preliminære resultater. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir (2020). Siste reis. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 140(10), p. 958–958. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.20.0474. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir (2019). Akupunkturbehandling av spedbarnskolikk. PhD-foredrag. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Klovning, Atle; Grotle, Margreth & Aas, Eline [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). The ACUBACK study: Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Klovning, Atle; Grotle, Margreth & Aas, Eline [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). Acupuncture for acute nonspecific low back pain: A randomised, controlled, multicentre intervention study in general practice — the Acuback study. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Klovning, Atle; Grotle, Margreth & Aas, Eline [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). The ACUBACK study: Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Klovning, Atle & Fetveit, Arne (2018). ACUBACK-studien: Akupunktur for akutte korsryggsmerter – en randomisert, kontrollert multisenterstudie i allmennpraksis. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Klovning, Atle; Grotle, Margreth & Fetveit, Arne (2018). ACUBACK-studien: Akupunktur for akutte korsryggsmerter – en randomisert, kontrollert multisenterstudie i allmennpraksis. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir & Brekke, Mette (2016). "Big needles-small bodies"- The abcence of acupuncture treatment for infants in contemporary Shanghai. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Steen, Finn; Fetveit, Arne; Brekke, Mette; Skjeie, Holgeir & Klovning, Atle (2016). Survey Email Scheduling And Monitoring in eRCTs (SESAMe): a digital tool to improve data collection in clinical trials. Full text in Research Archive
• Landgren, Kajsa; Raith, Wolfgang; Schmölzer, Georg M.; Skjeie, Holgeir & Skonnord, Trygve T. (2015). Acupuncture in the treatment of infantile colic. Italian Journal of Pediatrics. ISSN 1720-8424. doi: 10.1186/s13052-014-0105-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Regarding the recently published review ”Looking for new treatments of Infantile Colic“ by Savino et al. we want to add that positive effects of acupuncture have been demonstrated to release pain and agitation and that acupuncture seems to be a safe treatment when performed by trained acupuncturists. Inconclusive results in the few published articles on the subject can be due to different acupuncture points, different insertion time, different needling methods, differences in the outcome variables, in how the crying was measured and insufficient sample sizes. Further research is needed on understanding the utility, safety, and effectiveness of acupuncture in infants with colic.

• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2015). Acupuncture for infantile colic: A blinding-validated, randomized controlled multicentre trial in general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2014). Response to Letter to the Editor. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 32(1), p. 52–52. doi: 10.3109/02813432.2014.892305. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2014). Infants and acupuncture-is it advisable? The ST36 study of infantile colic. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir (2014). The point of Yang is to become Yin- The 9 principles of the Medical Acupuncture Modality. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2014). Acupuncture for infantile colic. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Skonnord, Trygve T.; Fetveit, Arne & Brekke, Mette (2014). Acupuncture in infantile colic-is it advisable? Acupuncture for infantile colic: A blinding-validated, randomizedcontrolled multicentre trial in general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2013). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: A protocol for a randomised controlled multicenter intervention study in general practice - the ACUBACK study. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2013). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: A protocol for a randomised controlled multicenter intervention study in general practice - the ACUBACK study. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir & Gardasevic, Bozidar (2013). Medical Acupuncture Modality: Principles, Explanatory Model, and Scientific Developments During 2005-2012. 11(4), p. 204–207. doi: 10.1007/s11726-013-0691-4. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2013). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: a protocol for a randomised, controlled multicentre intervention study in general practice--the Acuback Study. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir (2013). The Medical Acupuncture Modality. Principles, explanatory model,and scientific developments 2005-13. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Fetveit, Arne & Sagli, Gry (2012). Kunsten å ri to hester - Begrepsforståelse og forklaringsmodeller hos norske allmennleger som anvender akupunktur i daglig klinisk praksis - en kvalitativ studie. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2012). Akupunktur for akutte korsryggsmerter - en randomisert, kontrollert multisenterstudie i allmennpraksis - ACUBACK-studien. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2012). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: A protocol for a randomised controlled multicenter intervention study in general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2012). Akupunktur for akutte korsryggsmerter - en randomisert, kontrollert multisenterstudie i allmennmedisin - ACUBACK-studien. Utposten. ISSN 0800-5680. 41(7), p. 35–35. Full text in Research Archive
• Skonnord, Trygve T.; Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Grotle, Margreth; Lund, Irene & Fetveit, Arne (2012). Acupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: A protocol for a randomised controlled multicenter intervention study in general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir; Brekke, Mette; Fetveit, Arne & Sagli, Gry (2012). Kunsten å ri to hester - Begrepsforståelse og forklaringsmodeller hos norske allmennleger som anvender akupunktur i daglig klinisk praksis - en kvalitativ studie. Utposten. ISSN 0800-5680. 41(7), p. 36–37. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjeie, Holgeir & Skonnord, Trygve T. (2010). How to make GPs work in research projects for free. Challenges and roadblocks in setting up scientific protocols in environments not normally suited for it. The ongoing ST 36 infant colic project in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Rysstad, Ole & Skjeie, Holgeir (2003). Sprikende råd om ikke medikamentell malaria-profylakse. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 123(1). Full text in Research Archive

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