Authors: Derry, C.J.; Derry, S.; McQuay, H.J.; Moore, R.A.

Source: Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians, Volume 6, Number 4, July/August 2006 , pp. 381-386(6)

Publisher: Royal College of Physicians

Abstract:

Systematic reviews of acupuncture have tended to support its use, but few applied rigorous inclusion criteria. We tested the credibility of conclusions of systematic reviews of acupuncture published since 1996 by applying rigorous inclusion criteria. Reinterpretation used randomised and double blind trials with valid outcomes or design, and with information available from at least four trials or from 200 patients. Qualified support for acupuncture was originally reported in 12 out of 35 systematic reviews, and strong support was found in another six. Applying stricter inclusion criteria, however, showed that none of the 35 reviews supported acupuncture, predominantly because there were too few patients in the randomised, double blind studies. Six reviews with more than 200 patients in randomised, double blind studies had good evidence of no benefit. Systematic reviews of acupuncture have overstated effectiveness by including studies likely to be biased. They provide no robust evidence that acupuncture works for any indication.

References: 42 references open in new window

Articles that cite this article?

Keywords: ACUPUNCTURE; BIAS; SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-07-01

More about this publication?

• Clinical Medicine is published six times a year and circulated to 20,000 Fellows and Members of the Royal College of Physicians. The journal is read by physicians both established and in training in hospitals across the world. It features a wide range of articles including original papers, professional issues, clinical guidance, medical humanities, ethics and clinical governance. The journal publishes the key features from the College lectures and conferences. Each issue has a CME section which reviews the latest advances in a chosen specialty.
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Terms & Conditions
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Internal Medicine ,  Medicine (General) ,  Public Health
• By this author: Derry, C.J. ;  Derry, S. ;  McQuay, H.J. ;  Moore, R.A.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers