Table 1.

Search Strategy for PubMed Database

No.	Search terms
#1	MeSH terms: “carpal tunnel syndrome”
#2	Title/Abstract: “carpal tunnel syndrome” OR “syndrome, carpal tunnel” OR “carpal tunnel stenosis” OR “mouse hand” OR “CTS”
#3	#1 OR #2
#4	MeSH terms: “acupuncture therapy” OR “acupuncture” OR “cupping therapy” OR “bloodletting”
#5	Title/Abstract: “needling” OR “needles” OR “needle” OR “pricking blood” OR “blood-letting” OR “bloodletting” OR “cupping” OR “fire acupuncture” OR “warm needling” OR “electro-acupuncture” OR “body acupuncture” OR “electroacupuncture” OR “manual acupuncture” OR “acupuncture” OR “acupuncture therapy” OR “cupping therapy”
#6	#4 OR #5
#7	#3 AND #6