Acupuncture for Low Back Pain: Reevaluation of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses

Abstract

Purpose of Review This overview aims to reevaluate the methodological quality, report quality, and evidence quality of systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) of acupuncture for low back pain to determine whether acupuncture effectively treats low back pain (LBP). Recent Findings Twenty-three SRs/MAs were deemed eligible for the present overview. The AMSTAR 2 score showed that the methodological quality of one SR/MA was of medium quality, one was of low quality, and 21 were of critically low quality. Based on the results of the PRISMA evaluation, there are certain areas for improvement in the quality of reporting of SRs/MAs. There were some reporting flaws in the topic of search strategy (8/23, 34.78%), certainty assessment (4/23, 17.39%), the certainty of evidence (4/23, 17.39%), registration and protocol (3/23, 13.04%), and availability of data, code, and other material (1/23, 4.35%). Results from the GRADE evaluation indicated that 13 of 255 outcomes were rated as moderate, 88 were low, and 154 were very low. Summary Acupuncture effectively treated LBP in the SRs/MAs included in the reevaluation. However, the methodological, report, and evidence-based quality of the SRs/MAs on acupuncture for LBP was low. Therefore, further rigorous and comprehensive studies are warranted to improve the quality of SRs/MAs in this field.

NADA Ear Acupuncture and Medical Acupuncture for Pain- and Health-Related Quality of Life among Older Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Prospective Clinical Trial

“…Reevaluation of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses published in 2023 aimed to reassess the methodological quality, report quality, and evidence quality of 23 systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) of acupuncture for LBP to determine whether acupuncture can effectively treat LBP [ 20 ]. According to this study, acupuncture was more effective than placebo, Western medicine, sham acupuncture, physical therapy, usual care, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in treating LBP [ 20 ].…”

“…Reevaluation of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses published in 2023 aimed to reassess the methodological quality, report quality, and evidence quality of 23 systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) of acupuncture for LBP to determine whether acupuncture can effectively treat LBP [ 20 ]. According to this study, acupuncture was more effective than placebo, Western medicine, sham acupuncture, physical therapy, usual care, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in treating LBP [ 20 ]. What is more, acupuncture combined with other treatments was more effective than acupuncture alone in relieving LBP [ 20 ]; although the methodological, report, and evidence-based quality of the SRs/MAs on acupuncture for LBP was described as low [ 20 ].…”

“…According to this study, acupuncture was more effective than placebo, Western medicine, sham acupuncture, physical therapy, usual care, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in treating LBP [ 20 ]. What is more, acupuncture combined with other treatments was more effective than acupuncture alone in relieving LBP [ 20 ]; although the methodological, report, and evidence-based quality of the SRs/MAs on acupuncture for LBP was described as low [ 20 ]. Authors suggested that the results of all existing SRs/MAs may overestimate the actual effects of acupuncture and further studies with an improved methodological design are needed to accurately determine the actual effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the management of LBP [ 20 ].…”