Acupuncture: evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Leggett Tait P, Brooks L, Harstall C
Record ID 32002000387
English
Authors' objectives:
This report's objective is to provide an overview of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effectiveness of acupuncture for any condition that has been assessed in this manner.
Authors' recommendations:
Acupuncture was found to be effective for the treatment of dental and temperomandibular dysfunction (TMD) pain and antiemesis (nausea/vomiting) in comparison to other chosen interventions. The results for idiopathic headaches and fibromyalgia were reported as encouraging. The evidence was inclusive for the treatment of back pain, chronic pain, smoking cessation, and asthma. Effectiveness was not supported by the evidence for tinnitus, stroke rehabilitation, neck pain, addictions, and weight reduction.
Dental and TMD pain and antiemesis appear to be two areas in which acupuncture is reproducibly effective. For all other indications the methodology design and quality is either too weak to draw conclusions, the studies have not been done, or, in studies of better quality, acupuncture does not appear to be more effective than standard of care or control chosen.
Clearly, more research of higher methodological quality is called for. Issues of blinding, the use of a credible control, varying diagnosis amongst differing philosophical approaches, and the diversity of treatment points chosen and techniques used challenge this particular area of complementary medicine.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2002
URL for published report:
http://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search/acupuncture-evidence-from-systematic-reviews-and-meta-analyses
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Acupuncture Therapy
- Complementary Therapies
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address:
1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright:
<p>Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)</p>
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.