In 1980 research was started on hyperactivity of the thyroid gland using PTU (drug to lower hyperactivity of the thyroid) and acupuncture, and they found that the combination was more effective than the drug alone. Their conclusion was that small amounts of PTU with acupuncture gave the same results as normal dosages of PTU, and side effects and allergic reactions were avoided.

Evidence based research was established two years ago, and Jianping Liu is involved in this work.

http://uit.no/getfile.php?PageId=1492&FileId=202

It looks like it was a college that took a research outing to China.