Table 2.
Summarized acupuncture interventions in the included studies
| Author (year) | Acupuncture method (Fixed/partially individualized/individualized)* | Treatment rationale | Regimen | Acupuncture points** | Response sought | Co-interventions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun (2011)[24] |
MA, fixed |
Modern acupuncture (hand acupuncture) |
14 sessions (once daily for 14 d) |
Ex-UE205 |
De-qi*** |
Functional exercise |
| Zheng (2010)[25] |
MA, fixed |
Clinical experience |
15 sessions (once daily for 5 d X 3) |
LI15 |
De-qi |
PRICE + EA |
| He (2010)[36] |
WA, individualized |
TCM theory |
n.r |
Tender points |
De-qi |
Small needle-knife therapy + drug injection + rehabilitation |
| Wei (2010)[37] |
WA, individualized |
TCM theory |
10 sessions (once daily for 10 d) |
Selected points from ST36, KI3, BL60, GB40, GB39, ST41, LR3 etc. |
De-qi |
Massage |
| Ni (2010)[26] |
MA, partially individualized |
TCM theory |
3 sessions (once daily for 3 d) |
Ex-UE140 + additional points (pain sensitive points on the contralateral wrist joint) |
De-qi |
None |
| Tang (2010)[38] |
EA, partially individualized |
TCM theory |
10 sessions (once daily for 5 d X 2) |
Ashi points(GB40, BL60, BL62, KI6) + additional points(ST41, GB39, GB34, ST36) |
De-qi |
Massage + IR |
| Luo (2009)[27] |
EA partially individualized |
TCM theory |
12 sessions (six times per 2 wks X 2) |
ST41, BL60, GB40 + ashi points |
De-qi |
None |
| Zhou (2008)[28] |
WA, individualized |
TCM theory |
5 sessions (once daily for 5 d) |
Tender points |
n.r. |
None |
| He (2006)[29] |
MA + WA, fixed |
TCM theory clinical experience |
15 sessions (once daily for 5 d X 3) |
MA, WA : GB34 EA : GB39, GB40, ST41, BL60, BL62, GB43 |
De-qi |
PRICE + EA |
| Zhao (2005)[30] |
EA, fixed |
TCM theory |
14 sessions (once per 2 days for 2 wks X 2) |
Penetrating needling (GB40 and KI6) |
De-qi |
None |
| Wang (2005)[39] |
EA, partially individualized |
Modern experimental study |
5 sessions (once daily for 5 d) |
ST41, GB40, BL62, BL60, GB39, ashi points |
De-qi |
None |
| Li (2002)[31] |
MA, partially individualized |
n.r. |
8 sessions (once daily for 8 d) |
ST36, GB39, BL60, additional points (pain sensitive points on the contralateral Triple energizer meridian of wrist) |
De-qi |
Oral & topical HM |
| Ge (2000)[32] |
MA, individualized |
n.r |
10 sessions |
n.r |
n.r |
oral HM |
| Yu (1999)[33] |
MA, fixed |
TCM Theory |
14 sessions (twice daily for 7 d) |
ST36, GB39, KI3, BL60 |
n.r |
Topical NSAIDs |
| Yu (1999)[34] |
MA, fixed |
n.r |
14 sessions (twice daily for 7 d) |
ST36, GB39, KI3, BL60 |
n.r |
Topical NSAIDs + ice pack |
| Yu (1996)[35] |
MA, fixed |
n.r |
7 sessions (once daily for 7 d) |
ST36, GB39, KI3, BL60 |
n.r |
Topical HM + ice pack |
| Ruan (1995)[40] | MA, partially individualized | n.r | Once daily | Ex-LE8, Ex-LE9, BL62, GB39, GB40, BL60, KI6, SP6, KI2, ST41, ST36, GB34, SP9, ashi points | n.r | Massage |
*, Acupuncture method was classified into three categories based on the levels of individualization: ‘fixed’ means all patients receive the same treatment at all sessions, ‘partially individualized’ means using a fixed set of points to be combined with a set of points to be used flexibly, and ‘individualized’ means each patient receives a unique and evolving diagnosis and treatment [15]; **, Acupuncture point LI5 refers to 5th point of large intestine meridian and extra points have different nomenclature (e.g., Ex-UE3 means 3rd extra point in upper extremity). Ashi points mean local pain points; ***, De-qi means acupuncture-evoked specific sensations such as soreness, numbness, heaviness, and distention at the site of needle placement and these sensations may spread to other parts of the body.
d indicates days; EA, electroacupuncture; HM, herbal medicine; IR, infrared radiation; MA, manual acupuncture; n.r., not reported; NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PRICE, protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine; WA, warm acupuncture; wks, weeks.