Acupuncture

Vickers, Andrew J.; Wilson, P; Kleijnen, Jos

doi:10.1136/qhc.11.1.92

Cited by 60 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…5 Acupuncture appears to be effective for control of postoperative or chemotherapyrelated nausea and vomiting, as well as for postoperative dental pain. 6,7 It also can improve appetite, intestinal motility, metabolism, as well as emotional factors such as stress. Further, researches show that the application of acupuncture can cause increases in neural activity associated with the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, the tone of the smooth muscle of the stomach, and levels of enkephalin, b-endorphin and serotonin in plasma and brain tissue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2009

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Background and Objective: Acupuncture is widely used in complementary and alternative medicine to reduce body weight. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess an effect of acupuncture has not yet been performed. Aim of this study is to critically assess evidence for reduction of body weight and to evaluate adverse events of acupuncture therapy based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the effect of various types of acupuncture therapies. Data sources: A total of 19 electronic databases, including English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese databases, were systematically searched for RCTs of acupuncture for reduction of body weight or improvement in obesity up to March 2008 with no language restrictions. Methods: RCTs for acupuncture compared either with placebo controlled or with comparator intervention were considered. Studies' methodological qualities were assessed using the Jadad scale. If no evidence of heterogeneity existed across study results, statistical pooling of data was performed using a fixed effects model; otherwise, a random effects model was used. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Subgroup analyses were performed according to types of acupuncture. Results: A total of 31 studies, which comprised a total of 3013 individual cases, were systematically reviewed. Owing to insufficient data in 2 RCTs, 29 RCTs were used for meta-analysis. About two-thirds of the trials (20 out of 31) showed the lowest score of the Jadad. Compared to control of lifestyle, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction of average body weight (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1.72 kg (0.50-2.93 kg) and associated with an improvement in obesity (relative risk ¼ 2.57; 95% CI, 1.98-3.34). Acupuncture significantly reduced a body weight of 1.56 kg (0.74-2.38 kg), on average, compared to placebo or sham treatments. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes for body weight (mean difference ¼ 1.90 kg; 1.66-2.13 kg), as well as for obesity (relative risk ¼ 1.13; 1.04-1.22), than conventional medication. Only four RCTs reported acupuncture-related adverse events, which were mostly minimal. Conclusions: Our review suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity. However, the amount of evidence is not fully convincing because of the poor methodological quality of trials reviewed. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for well-planned, long-term studies to address the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating obesity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2009

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“…Acupuncture is a popular but controversial alternative treatment option for LBP with few associated adverse side effects [2]. Results of randomised studies of acupuncture for low back pain have been inconclusive due to poor methodological quality and insufficient acupuncture techniques [3,4]. A systematic review and a meta-analysis corroborate a lack of evidence for the treatment of acute LBP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants for receiving acupuncture for LBP and associated treatments: a prospective cohort study

Chenot

Becker

Leonhardt

et al. 2006

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background: Acupuncture is a frequently used but controversial adjunct to the treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP). Acupuncture is now considered to be effective for chronic LBP and health care systems are pressured to make a decision whether or not acupuncture should be covered. It has been suggested that providing such services might reduce the use of other health care services. Therefore, we explored factors associated with acupuncture treatment for LBP and the relation of acupuncture with other health care services.

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“…This may be followed by "tune up" sessions every 2-6 months. 6 The cost for the initial session is about $75 -$150, with the follow-up visits costing $65-100 each. Third-party payment for complementary and alternative therapies varies from state to state.…”

Section: Acupuncture/moxibustionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many practitioners will palpate along meridians to detect points of tenderness that may indicate a blockage in the flow of Qi at that point. 6 One of the most common ways of differentiating symptoms and syndromes in TCM is according to the Eight Principles-four pairs of polar opposites: Yin and Yang, Interior and Exterior, Cold and Heat, and Deficiency and Excess. Characteristics of the Eight Principles are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.…”

Section: Diagnosis In Tcmmentioning

confidence: 99%