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Objectives This study aimed to research current trends of acupuncture treatment of whiplash associated disorder (WAD). Methods Clinical studies about acupuncture therapy on WAD were searched in 7 databases. The included studies were classified according to their publication dates, methods, interventions, outcome measures. Interventions were analyzed by accompanied intervention, acupoint, acupuncture retaining time and treatment period. Results 14 articles were included. The number of studies on acupuncture for WAD shows increasing tendency since 1990. The included studies consist of 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 2 non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs), 2 cohort studies, 1 before and after study, 1 case study and 2 case reports. Most studies used visual analogue scale (VAS) as primary outcome. Conclusions This review demonstrates that further clinical studies need to be carried out under the formal clinical practice guidelines of acupuncture therapy for WAD in order to support clinical treatment objectively.