Table 3

Systematic reviews of clinical trials of acupuncture & acupressure in various conditions

Feature

Author Year

Indication

Controls

Studies

s

Results

Conclusion

1 / 2 / 3

/ 4 / 5

Park 2000

tinnitus

sham, other

6 RCT

y / y / y /

2 unblinded studies positive whereas 4

No evidence from rigorous RCT that

[48]

treatment

y / n

blinded studies showed no significant effects

acupuncture has specific effects in

of acupunct.

the treatment of tinnitus

Dobie 99 ^*

tinnitus

sham, other

6 RCT

p / p / p

No significant effects shown. Patients in

No specific conclusions for

[49]

treatment

/ p / n

cross-over studies tend to prefer

acupuncture drawn (generally: no

acupuncture

treatment well established)

Ernst 97 [50]

weight or

sham

4 RCT

? / y / y

Two studies positive effect mainly on

Claims that acupuncture reduces

appetite

/ y / y

appetite, two studies (better quality) negative

weight or appetite not based on well-

reduction

performed clinical trials

Ernst 96 [51]

stroke

no

5 RCT, 1

y / y / n

All trials suggest positive effects on

Evidence encouraging but not

rehabilitatio

treatment

CCT

/ y / n

functional recovery; numerous

compelling

n

(routine

methodological problems

only)

Harris 97

various

sham,

23 clinical

p / n / y

P6 acupressure effective for nausea, other

No clear conclusion beyond results

(only acu-

other, no

studies

/ n / n

research scarce and low quality

drawn

pressure)

treatment

[52]

Rosted 98

dentistry

sham,

15 RCT

y / p / y

Most studies with relevant methodological

The value of acupuncture as an

[53]

(mainly

other, no

/ n / n

problems. 11 of 15 trials with positive results

analgesic must be questioned due to

temporoma

treatment

problems in the trials. But the effect

ndibular

in temporomandibular dysfunction

dysfunction

and facial pain seems real

)

legend see table 1

Linde et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001 1:3   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-1-3