Skip to main content
. 2015 Nov 4;10(11):e0140825. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140825

Table 4. Treatment effects of meta-analysis results.

Clinical condition (Outcome Measures) Subgroups by Placebo Device Number of studies Treatment effect meta-analysis results
Pain–Musculoskeletal (Pain intensity using a VAS scale) Streitberger 1 (24) MD: -0.80, 95% CI [-1.54, -0.06] Verum acupuncture < placebo
Park Device 2 (43, 45) MD: 3.79, 95% CI [2.91, 4.67]. I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture > placebo
All studies 3 (24, 43, 45) MD: 1.46, 95% CI [-2.92, 5.84]. I 2 = 0%, I 2 = 97%
Pain–Headache (Pain intensity using a VAS scale) Streitberger 2 (25, 28) MD: -0.57, 95% CI [-1.11, -0.04]. I2 = 40% Verum acupuncture < placebo
Pain–Induced (Pressure pain threshold) Streitberger 3 (30–32) SMD: -0.06, 95% CI [-0.32, 0.20]. I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture = placebo
Pain–Induced (Pain intensity using a 10-point Numeric Rating Scale) Streitberger 2 (31, 32) MD: -1.41, 95% CI [-1.82, -1.00], I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo
Obesity (Body mass index) Park Device 2 (53, 54) MD: 2.50, 95% CI [1.57, 3.42], I2 = 48% Verum acupuncture > placebo
In-vitro Fertilisation (Clinical Pregnancy rates) Streitberger Device 2 (21, 39) RR: 0.85, 95% CI [0.49, 1.48], I2 = 79% Verum acupuncture = placebo
Park Device 2 (50, 51) RR: 1.25, 95% CI [1.03, 1.51], I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo
All studies 4 (21, 39, 50, 51) RR: 1.07, 95% CI [0.84, 1.35], I 2 = 62% Verum acupuncture = placebo
In-vitro Fertilisation (Overall pregnancy rates) Park Device 2 (50, 51) RR: 1.24, 95% CI [1.04, 1.47], I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo
In-vitro Fertilisation (Ongoing pregnancy rates) Streitberger Device 1 (21) RR: 1.17, 95% CI [0.92, 1.50] Verum acupuncture = placebo
Park Device 2 (50, 51) RR: 1.28, 95% CI [1.03, 1.59], I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo
All studies 3 (21, 50, 51) RR: 1.23, 95% CI [1.04, 1.45], I 2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo
In-vitro Fertilisation (Live birth rates) Streitberger Device 1 (21) RR: 1.19, 95% CI [0.92, 1.53] Verum acupuncture = placebo
Park Device 2 (50, 51) RR: 1.26, 95% CI [1.00, 1.59], I2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo
All studies 3 (21, 50, 51) RR: 1.23, 95% CI [1.03, 1.45], I 2 = 0% Verum acupuncture < placebo