Table 2.

Outcomes of acupuncture treatment in clinical trials for inflammation-associated disorders.

Method	Meridians	Outcome	Country	Ref
Allergic rhinitis
AC	Xiaguan	Improvement of nasal obstruction and sneezing	China	11
AC	Ying Xiang, Yintang, and Fengchi	Improvement of nasal and nonnasal symptoms	Australia	12
AC	Ying Xiang, Shang Xing, Fengchi, Quchi, Xue Hai, Fei Shu, Ge Shu, and Pishu	Effects of acupuncture treatment were similar to that of oral cetirizine hydrochloride treatment	China	13
AC	He Gu, Ying Xiang, Sibai, Zu San Li, Yintang, and Shang Xing	Reduction in total nasal and nonnasal symptom score	South Korea and China	14
Asthma
AC	Yuji	Acupuncture effects comparable to the effects of 200 μg salbutamol aerosol	China	18
AC	Zhongfu, Chize, Tai Yuan, Guan Yuan, Zhong Wan, Fei Shu, Pishu, and Shen Shu	Improved the symptoms of asthma and VAS of dyspnea	Japan	20
Atherosclerosis
EA	Neiguan, Lie Que, and Yunmen	Limited troponin I release, reduction in ICU stay time, and decreased use of inotropic agents	China	21
AC and Moxi	Renying, Neiguan, and Zu San Li	Increase in size of common carotid artery, reduction of intima-media thickness, accelerated peak systolic and end diastolic velocities, decreased pulsatility index, and resistance index	China	22
EA	Neiguan and Ximen	Decrease of the rate of major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events after a two-year follow-up	China	23
Cancer
AC with herbs of TCM	Tai Chong, Zu San Li, He Gu, Qi Hai, Fenglong, and San Yin Jiao	Regression of ductal carcinoma over a period of 15 months	USA	26
AC	Zu San Li, Neiguan, Ge Shu, Fei Shu, Guan Yuan, and Shen Shu	Significant increase of IL-2, CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, and NK cells were observed	China	27
AC	Zu San Li, Quchi, and Qi Hai	Increase in IL-2 level and NK cell activities	China	29
Rheumatoid arthritis
EA and AC	Quchi, Waiguan, He Gu, Zu San Li, Yang Ling Quan, and Xuan Zhong	Reduction of pain score	China	30
LA	Tai Chong, Tianshu, Zu San Li, Houxi, Wan Gu, He Gu, Qu Chi, San Yin Jiao, Ying Ling Quan, Jing Men, Yang Ling Quan, and Shen Men	Interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde levels decreased, whereas ATP levels and pain-free range of motion at joints increased	Egypt	31
LA	He Gu, Waiguan, Qu Chi, Da Zhui, Tai Chong, San Yin Jiao, Yang Ling Quan, and Zu San Li	Increase in plasma superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalase activities, blood glutathione and plasma ATP concentrations. Plasma MDA, serum nitrate and nitrite, serum CRP, interleukin-6 levels decreased. Significant reduction in disease activity was observed based on DAS28 score.	Egypt	32
Stress and anxiety
AC	Bai Hui, Shen Men, Neiguan, Yintang, Four Gates, Dan Zhong, Qi Hai, and Zu San Li	Decrease in the perception of self-identified stress	USA	34
AC	Zu San Li, Shang Ju Xu, Quchi, Shou San Li, Neiguan, and Da Ling	Decrease in low-frequency–to–high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of heart rate variability	USA	35
AC	Shen Men	Reduction in stress hormones and heart rate	Germany	37
AC	MA-IC1 (lung), MA-TF1 (ear Shenmen), MA-SC (kidney), MA-AT1 (subcortex), and MA-TG (adrenal gland)	Reduced exam anxiety	Germany	38
Crohn's disease
Moxi and AC	Tian Shu, Qihai, Zhongwan, Zu San Li, Shang Ju Xu, San Yin Jiao, Tai Xi, Gong Sun, and Tai Chong	Decrease in the ratio of Th17 and Treg cells	China	39
AC	Ququan, Quchi, Zhong Wan, Qi Hai, Zu San Li, and San Yin Jiao	Improvement of symptoms such as chronic indigestion, reflux, abdominal pain, and excessive diarrhea	China	40
Moxi and AC	Tian Shu, Qi Hai, Zhong Wan, Zu San Li, Shang Ju Xu, Gong Sun, San Yin Jiao, Tai Xi, and Tai Chong	Increased hemoglobin levels. Decreased CRP levels and Crohn's disease activity index	China	41

AC: acupuncture; EA: electroacupuncture; Moxi: moxibustion; LA: laser acupuncture.