Comparison 2.
Acupuncture vs. sham interventions
| Outcome or subgroup title | No. of studies | No. of participants | Statistical method | Effect size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Response | 5 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | Subtotals only | |
| 1.1 Up to 8 weeks/2 months after randomization | 4 | 723 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.24 [1.02, 1.50] |
| 1.2 3 to 4 months after randomization | 4 | 703 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.24 [1.05, 1.46] |
| 1.3 5 to 6 months after randomization | 4 | 723 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.18 [1.02, 1.37] |
| 1.4 > 6 months after randomization | 1 | 30 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.5 [0.53, 4.26] |
| 2 Number of headache days | 5 | Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | Subtotals only | |
| 2.1 Up to 8 weeks/2 months after randomization | 4 | 682 | Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −1.56 [−3.02, −0.10] |
| 2.2 3 to 4 months after randomization | 4 | 653 | Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −1.94 [−3.15, −0.72] |
| 2.3 5 to 6 months after randomization | 4 | 670 | Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −1.57 [−2.97, −0.17] |
| 2.4 > 6 months after randomisation | 0 | 0 | Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | Not estimable |
| 3 Headache intensity | 4 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | Subtotals only | |
| 3.1 Up to 8 weeks/2 months after randomization | 2 | 111 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.16 [−0.53, 0.21] |
| 3.2 3 to 4 months after randomization | 3 | 623 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.12 [−0.28, 0.04] |
| 3.3 5 to 6 months after randomization | 4 | 670 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.20 [−0.35, −0.04] |
| 3.4 > 6 months after randomisation | 0 | 0 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | Not estimable |
| 4 Analgesic use | 3 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | Subtotals only | |
| 4.1 Up to 8 weeks/2 months after randomization | 3 | 266 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.31 [−0.56, −0.06] |
| 4.2 3 to 4 months after randomization | 3 | 261 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.30 [−0.56, −0.05] |
| 4.3 5 to 6 months after randomization | 1 | 167 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.16 [−0.48, 0.17] |
| 4.4 > 6 months after randomisation | 1 | 30 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.33 [−1.06, 0.39] |
| 5 Headache score | 2 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | Subtotals only | |
| 5.1 Up to 8 weeks/2 months after randomization | 2 | 206 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.03 [−0.31, 0.26] |
| 5.2 3 to 4 months after randomization | 2 | 205 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.11 [−0.40, 0.18] |
| 5.3 5 to 6 months after randomization | 1 | 167 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.06 [−0.38, 0.26] |
| 5.4 > 6 months after randomisation | 1 | 30 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | −0.17 [−0.89, 0.54] |