Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review

Item

Title

Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review

Author(s)

Journal Publication

Date

2015

volume

2015

Research Type

Systematic Review

Keywords

Abstract

Objective. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis (LE). Methods. Seven databases and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal were searched to identify relevant studies. The data were extracted and assessed by two independent authors, and Review Manager Software (V.5.3) was used for data synthesis with effect estimate presented as standard mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the level of evidence. Results. Four RCTs with 309 participants were included with poor methodological quality. Participants who received acupuncture and acupuncture plus moxibustion with material insulation were likely to have an improvement in elbow functional status and/or myodynamia. The overall quality rated by GRADE was from very low to low. Two studies reported that the needle pain would be the main reason for the dropout. Conclusion. For the small number of included studies with poor methodological quality, no firm conclusion can be drawn regarding the effect of acupuncture of elbow functional status and myodynamia for LE. This trial is registered with CRD42015016199.

doi

10.1155/2015/861849

pmid

PMID:26843886; PMCID:PMC4710923

View on Pubmed

Language

English

has health condition studied

Sprains and Strains

has study population number

0

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