Table 3.
Brief characteristics of the three acupuncture studies for CP/CPPS.
| Author | Sample size | CP/CPPS | Acupuncture points | Duration | Significance |
| Chen et al. 2003 | n = 12 | IIIA/B | Set 1: BL10,23,28,40, KI 10 K1, BL67-Bilateral Set 2: CV3, 4, M-CA-17, SP 6 + 5 hz e-stim Set 3: B:23, BL54, BL35 |
Three sets of points given alternately twice/week over 6 weeks. 20 minute treatment* | yes CPSI |
| Honjo et al. 2004 | n = 10 | IIIB | BL 33-Bilateral | Single point applied bilaterally over 4 weeks. 10 minute treatment* | yes CPSI and IPSS |
| Capodice et al. 2007 | n = 10 | IIIA/B | GB 41, LR 3, LI 4, SJ 5, SP 8, SP 6-Bilateral Shen men, kidney, liver, lung, spleen and one auricle | Twice/week full body and auricular acupuncture over 6 weeks. 20–25 minute treatment (needles in situ)+ | yes CPSI |
CPSI: National institutes of health – chronic prostatitis symptom index
IPSS: International Prostate Symptom Scores
* no detail on needling procedure
+ detail on needling procedure includes attainment of de qi and needle technique