Table 1.

Search strategy used in CENTRAL database

Number	Search terms
1	MeSH descriptor: [chronic neck pain] explode all trees
2	((neck muscles) or (cervical plexus) or (cervical vertebrae) or (Atlanto-Axial Joint) or (atlanto-occipital joint) or (spinal nerve roots) or (brachial plexus)):ti, ab, kw
3	or 1–2
4	MeSH descriptor: [acupuncture] explode all trees
5	MeSH descriptor: [acupuncture therapy] explode all trees
6	((manual acupuncture) or (manual next acupuncture*) or (electroacupuncture) or (electro next acupuncture*) or (scalp acupuncture*) or (scalp next acupuncture*)):ti, ab, kw
7	or 4–6
8	MeSH descriptor: [randomized controlled trial] explode all trees
9	((random) or (clinical trial*) or (clinical next trial*) or (controlled clinical trial) or (controlled next clinical trial*)):ti, ab, kw
10	or 8–9
11	3 and 7 and 10

This search strategy will be modified as required for other electronic databases