Evidence
Evidence and Research Into the Efficacy of Acupuncture
Listed below are studies into the efficacy of acupuncture. The studies we have listed are recognised by meta-analysis authors as moderate to high quality with low to moderate researcher bias.
General Pain
Vickers, A, Cronin, A, Maschino, A, Lewith, G, MacPherson, H, Foster, N, Sherman, K, Witt, C, Linde, K & Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration, 2012, ‘Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis’, Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 172, no. 19, pp. 1444-1453.
Neck Pain
Chow, R, Barnsley, L, Heller, G & Siddall, P 2004, ‘A pilot study of low-power laser therapy in the management of chronic neck pain’, Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 71- 81. Chow, R, Heller, G & Barnsley, L 2006, ‘The effect of 300 mW, 830 nm laser on chronic neck pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study’, Pain, vol. 124, no. 1-2, pp. 201- 210
Espejo-Antúneza, L, Fernández-Huertas Tejedaa, J, Albornoz-Cabellob, M, Rodríguez-Mansillaa, J, de la Cruz-Torresb, B, Ribeiroc, F & Silva, A 2017, ‘Dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials’, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 33, pp. 46–57.
Gattie, E, Cleland, J & Snodgrass, S 2017, ‘The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 47, no 3, pp. 133-150.
Trinh, K, Graham, N, Gross, A, Goldsmith, C, Wang, E, Cameron, I & Kay, T 2007, ‘Acupuncture for neck disorders’, Spine, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 236-243.
Migraine and Headache
Acupuncturefor Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.
The Effect of Acupuncture on the Quality of Life in Patients With Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Carpal Tunnel
Cox, J, Varatharajan, S & Cote, P 2016, ‘Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapies to Manage Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities: A Systematic Review’, Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 46, no. 6, pp. 409-429.
IBS
Acupuncture for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome:a meta-analysis
Acupuncture for Adults with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Functional Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis
Back Pain
Lu, S, Zheng, Z & Xue, C 2011, ‘Does acupuncture improve quality of life for patients with pain associated with the spine? A systematic review’, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011.
Morihisa, R, Eskew, J, McNamara, A & Young, J 2016, ‘Dry needling in subjects with muscular trigger points in the lower quarter: a systematic review’, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 11, no. 1, p. 1-14.
Elbow Pain
Gadau, M, Yeung, W, Liu, H, Zaslawski, C, Tan, Y, Wang, F, Bangrazi, S, Chung, K, Bian, Z & Zhang, S 2014, ‘Acupuncture and moxibustion for lateral elbow pain: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials’, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 14, no. 1, p. 136-155.
Sciatica
Ji, M, Wang, X, Chen, M, Shen, Y, Zhang, X & Yang, J 2015, ‘The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Cox, J, Varatharajan, S & Cote, P 2016, ‘Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapies to Manage Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities: A Systematic Review’, Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 46, no. 6, pp. 409-429.
Plantar Fasciitis
Boyles, R, Fowler, R, Ramsey, D & Burrows, E 2015, ‘Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for multiple body regions: a systematic review’, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 276-293
Salvioli, S, Guidi, M & Marcotulli, G 2017, ‘The effectiveness of conservative, nonpharmacological treatment, of plantar heel pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis’, The Foot, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 57-67.
Thiagarajah, A 2017, ‘How effective is acupuncture for reducing pain due to plantar fasciitis?’, Singapore Medical Journal, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 92-97.
Respiratory Conditions
Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Skin Conditions
Acupuncture as a Treatment Modality in Dermatology: A Systematic Review
Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology: Christopher Iriarte Et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017; 10: 289–298. Published online 2017 Aug 8. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S142450
Other Research
Listed below are links we are compiling of research studies and clinical trial of acupuncture. According to AHPRA, none of these studies provide the level of evidence they require.
Acupuncture Evidence Project
Acupuncture as an Analgesic in Emergency Departments
Acupuncture Efficacy Chart
Acupuncture Prevents Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting
Effects of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
The Effect of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Subfertile Women with In Vitro Fertilization
Gynaecological/Fertility
Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: an updated meta-analysis
Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on ovarian reserve of patients with diminished ovarian reserve in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles
[Acupuncture treatment of male infertility: a systematic review]
Is acupuncture in addition to conventional medicine effective as pain treatment for endometriosis?: A randomised controlled cross-over trial.
Acupuncture Treatment for Fertility.
Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Effects of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
