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. 2012 Sep 12;2012(9):CD005472. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005472.pub3

Comparison 2. Acupuncture alone versus placebo or sham acupuncture.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Frequency of improvement in sleep quality 2 112 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 6.62 [1.78, 24.55]
1.1 Acupressure 2 112 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 6.62 [1.78, 24.55]
2 Sleep onset latency (minutes) 5   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
2.1 Needle acupuncture 1 30 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐59.30 [‐156.02, 37.42]
2.2 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐2.5 [‐18.28, 13.28]
2.3 Acupressure 3 142 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.45 [‐15.76, 12.87]
2.4 Magnetic acupressure 1 90 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐7.41 [‐13.91, ‐0.91]
3 Total sleep duration (hours) 6   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
3.1 Needle acupuncture 1 30 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.43 [0.43, 2.43]
3.2 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.05 [‐0.54, 0.44]
3.3 Acupressure 3 142 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.31 [‐0.59, 1.20]
3.4 Magnetic acupressure 2 112 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.93 [0.38, 1.48]
4 Total wake time (minutes) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
4.1 Acupressure 1 60 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐25.80 [‐69.84, 18.24]
4.2 Magnetic acupressure 1 90 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐68.75 [‐105.58, ‐31.92]
5 Wake after sleep onset (minutes) 2   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
5.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐33.60 [‐74.16, 6.96]
5.2 Acupressure 1 60 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐17.30 [‐56.42, 21.82]
5.3 Magnetic acupressure 1 90 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐54.98 [‐85.53, ‐24.43]
6 Number of awakenings 3   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
6.1 Acupressure 2 120 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐4.10 [‐6.70, ‐1.50]
6.2 Magnetic acupressure 2 112 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐2.88 [‐7.08, 1.32]
7 Arousal index (number of arousals per hour) 1 22 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.08 [‐7.37, 7.53]
7.1 Acupressure 1 22 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.08 [‐7.37, 7.53]
8 Sleep efficiency (%) 5   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
8.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 7.5 [1.39, 13.61]
8.2 Acupressure 3 142 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 3.44 [‐9.30, 16.18]
8.3 Magnetic acupressure 2 112 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 9.41 [4.21, 14.60]
9 Total score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 7 346 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐2.11 [‐3.39, ‐0.83]
9.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.20 [‐1.31, 1.71]
9.2 Acupressure 6 289 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐2.57 [‐3.64, ‐1.51]
10 Total score on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) 3 139 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐3.38 [‐6.24, ‐0.52]
10.1 Needle acupuncture 2 82 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐4.64 [‐7.45, ‐1.83]
10.2 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.90 [‐3.32, 1.52]
11 Total score on the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) 3 132 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐2.39 [‐4.69, ‐0.09]
11.1 Needle acupuncture 2 82 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐3.41 [‐5.64, ‐1.19]
11.2 Acupressure 1 50 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.40 [‐2.33, 1.53]
12 Total score on the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) 1 22 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐7.91 [‐17.16, 1.34]
12.1 Acupressure 1 22 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐7.91 [‐17.16, 1.34]
13 Quality of sleep score on the Morning Questionnaire (MQ) 1 30 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 34.60 [19.08, 50.12]
13.1 Needle acupuncture 1 30 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 34.60 [19.08, 50.12]
14 Sleep quality score: sleep diary 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.03 [‐0.20, 0.26]
14.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.03 [‐0.20, 0.26]
15 Work score on the Sheehan Disability Index (SDI) 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.90 [‐0.16, 1.96]
15.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.90 [‐0.16, 1.96]
16 Social score on the Sheehan Disability Index (SDI) 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.30 [‐0.69, 1.29]
16.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.30 [‐0.69, 1.29]
17 Family score on the Sheehan Disability Index (SDI) 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.5 [‐0.46, 1.46]
17.1 Electroacupuncture 1 57 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.5 [‐0.46, 1.46]
18 Quality of life total score on the General Health Questionnaires (GHQ) 1 33 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.41 [‐3.07, 0.25]
18.1 Acupressure 1 33 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.41 [‐3.07, 0.25]
19 Quality of life physical component score on the SF‐36 1 67 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐6.45 [‐10.45, ‐2.45]
19.1 Acupressure 1 67 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐6.45 [‐10.45, ‐2.45]
20 Quality of life mental component score on the SF‐36 1 67 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.70 [‐5.44, 4.04]
20.1 Acupressure 1 67 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.70 [‐5.44, 4.04]
21 Frequency of adverse effects 1 32 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 3.19 [0.12, 84.43]
21.1 Needle acupuncture 1 32 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 3.19 [0.12, 84.43]