4. Comparison 5. Acupuncture versus another technique of acupuncture. Outcome: global measurement.

Study	Assessed term	Acupuncture	Another technique of acupuncture	P value
Li 2017		(N = 30)	Dry needling on trigger points (N = 30)
Measured immediately after	Cure	7	8
	Effective	7	12
	Less effective	13	8
	No change	3	2	P < 0.05
Measured in the intermediate term	Cure	7	9
	Effective	8	11
	Less effective	12	8
	No change	3	2	P > 0.05
Nie 2005		(N = 30)	Heated needles (N = 30)
Measured immediately after	Cure	13	18
	Effective	6	10
	No change	11	2	P < 0.05
Pan 2005		(N = 38)	Heated needles (N = 35)
Measured immediately after	Cure	8	16
	Effective	18	19
	No change	6	4	P > 0.05 (based on total rate of effectiveness)