final challenge is to master the methods of doing research. Here we are helped by three sets of guidelines, which are listed in the Review, the STRICTA (Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture), CONSORT (Consolidating Standards of Reporting Trials) for randomized trials and TREND (Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs) for non-randomized ones. The detailed requirements of each of these are listed in the Review, but here is a brief summary of the factors which can influence the results of the kind of research that would provide evidence of effectiveness of shiatsu versus usual care or no other treatment: • In order to determine the success or not of the trial, the expected outcome (for example, diminishing the frequency or the severity of migraines, or both) needs to be specified at the outset. For more qualitative research there still needs to be a question or hypothesis, although necessarily less specific. • How were the research subjects selected? Did they volunteer? Were they paid? Did they pay? Have they had Shiatsu before? • Are the research subjects matched in any way, e.g. similar age, same gender, same ethnic or cultural background, same health condition (Eastern or Western)? • What is the sample size? Does it change? e.g. do any receivers drop out? • Is there a control group? If so, the same information needs to be given about the control subjects. What alternative treatment, if any, is offered to the control group, when, where and how? • Is there more than one practitioner, and if so, what are the differences and similarities between practitioners and their way of working? • Is the treatment carried out at the same place each time? If the settings or context are different, what are the main differences? • What is the degree of preparation/ explanation given to research subjects and is it the same each time? • What is the style/ method of treatment and does it differ from receiver to receiver? • Are any other modalities used, e.g. exercises, meditation, self-acupressure? • Is there any follow-up? These guidelines refer only to the research methodology for controlled studies where comparisons are being made. Those that are controlled studies (i.e. studies where one group receives the treatment under scrutiny and one does not; both are compared) are assigned a grading according to specific criteria. The presentation of the research is also subject to certain guidelines, listed in the Review. The review process is designed to evaluate the research according to the same criteria used in examining the effectiveness of a medical intervention. These criteria allow assessment of controlled 2 studies, which were used in the research into acupressure but not Shiatsu. In consequence, the evaluation of Shiatsu as an evidence-based treatment is as prosaic and stark as a review of a pharmaceutical intervention. This lens used to evaluate Shiatsu studies thus appears critical to those unfamiliar with either the vastness of the application of Shiatsu or the struggle within scientific history to attain objective data. We have before us a large gathering of literature in the format of a quantitative, evidence evaluation, rather than a qualitative appreciation of what Shiatsu has to offer. Conclusion This Systematic Review marks the beginning of a new phase of development for Shiatsu worldwide. Having moved on from its former association with the bath-house, Shiatsu has taken different philosophical and theoretical directions. The Shiatsu community is now able to know itself, to recognize its different schools and styles as ornaments and manifestations of its great human diversity, rather than as enemies or competitors. It has moved into exploration of science and philosophy, both Eastern and Western, in its attempts to understand the power and effectiveness of Shiatsu touch. It has consolidated its links with the written East Asian medical tradition from which it originally arose, without abandoning its intuitive and feeling components. It is now time to take a further step, demonstrating to the wider world not only the effectiveness of Shiatsu but also the ability of its practitioners to examine what they do within specific criteria. If defining the limitless space of Shiatsu experience within pre-drawn boxes is what is required in order to bring Shiatsu to more people in the world, then that is what we will do: and this review is the first manifesto of our intent. I. Publications in German Foreign language papers were part of the exclusion criteria. It was hoped that the following two papers could be translated and therefore included; however, this was not possible. 1. Litscher,G. (2004). Effects of acupressure, manual acupuncture and Laserneedle acupuncture on EEG bispectral index and spectral edge frequency in healthy volunteers. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 21:13- 19. Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory (acupressure and acupuncture) and optical stimulation (Laserneedle acupuncture) on electroencephalographic bispectral index, spectral edge frequency and a verbal sedation score. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy volunteers (mean age +/- SD: 25.5 +/- 4.0yr) were investigated during the awake state. The acupuncture point Yintang and a placebo control point were stimulated. The study was 201 performed as a randomized, controlled and