Acupuncture for recurrent headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Melchart D.; Linde K.; Fischer P.; White A.; Allais G.; Vickers A.; Berman B.

Source: Cephalalgia, Volume 19, Number 9, November 1999 , pp. 779-786(8)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Objective: To assess whether there is evidence that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of recurrent headaches. Design:Systematic review. Study selection:Randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials comparing acupuncture with any type of control intervention for the treatment of recurrent headaches. Data sources: Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Field for Complementary Medicine, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register), personal communications and bibliographies.Data collection and analysis: Information on patients, interventions, methods, and results were extracted by at least two independent reviewers using a pretested form. A pooled estimate of the responder rate ratio (responder rate in treatment group/responder rate in control group) was calculated as a crude indicator of trial results as meta-analysis of more specific outcome data was impossible due to heterogeneity and insufficient reporting. Results:Twenty-two trials, including a total of 1042 patients (median 36, range 10–150), met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen trials were in migraine patients, six in tension-headache patients, and in one trial patients with various headaches were included. The majority of the 14 trials comparing true and sham acupuncture showed at least a trend in favor of true acupuncture. The pooled responder rate ratio was 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 2.11). The eight trials comparing acupuncture and other treatment forms had contradictory results. Conclusions:Overall, the existing evidence suggests that acupuncture has a role in the treatment of recurrent headaches. However, the quality and amount of evidence is not fully convincing. There is urgent need for well-planned, large-scale studies to assess effectiveness and efficiency of acupuncture under real life conditions.

Keywords: Acupuncture; migraine; randomized controlled trials; systematic review; tension-type headache

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 1999-11-01

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Neurology & Psychiatry
• By this author: Melchart D. ;  Linde K. ;  Fischer P. ;  White A. ;  Allais G. ;  Vickers A. ;  Berman B.

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