Comparison 6. Catgut implantation at acupoints plus antiepileptic drugs (AED) versus antiepileptic drugs (AED) alone.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Seizure freedom	4	361	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.51 [0.93, 2.43]
2 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency	5	401	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.42 [1.07, 1.89]
3 Post‐treatment quality of life score (QOLIE‐31 score)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4 Frequency of adverse effects	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 99% CI)	Totals not selected
4.1 Dizziness	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 99% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Malaise	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 99% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.3 Nausea	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 99% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.4 Anorexia	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 99% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.5 Impaired concentration	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 99% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 75% or greater reduction in seizure frequency	5	401	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.48 [1.22, 1.79]
6 25% or greater reduction in seizure frequency	5	401	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.09 [1.03, 1.16]
7 Post‐treatment seizure frequency	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
8 Post‐treatment epilepsy score	2	180	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.56 [‐3.69, 0.57]
9 70% or greater reduction in epilepsy score	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
10 40% or greater reduction in epilepsy score	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
11 20% or greater reduction in epilepsy score	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
12 Post‐treatment Global Clinical Impression (GCI) score	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
12.1 Severity Index	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Global Improvement	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.3 Efficacy Index	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Post‐treatment EEG abnormality	2		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
13.1 Severe abnormality	2	249	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.83 [0.43, 1.60]
13.2 Moderate abnormality	2	249	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.75 [0.53, 1.05]
13.3 Mild abnormality	2	249	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.29 [0.91, 1.84]
13.4 Borderline abnormality	1	120	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.8 [0.23, 2.83]