Comparison 2. Acupuncture vs no treatment.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
2.1 Pain intensity (VAS)	4		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1.1 Immediately after	4	366	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐20.32 [‐24.50, ‐16.14]
2.1.2 Short term	3	144	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐10.11 [‐16.80, ‐3.43]
2.2 Back‐specific function	5		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.2.1 Immediately after (RMDQ, HFAQ, ODI)	5	2960	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.53 [‐0.73, ‐0.34]
2.2.2 Short term (RMDQ,ODI)	3	144	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.39 [‐0.72, ‐0.06]
2.3 Quality of life	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.3.1 Immediately after (SF‐36 physical)	2	2837	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	5.10 [3.09, 7.11]
2.3.2 Immediately after (SF‐36 mental)	2	2837	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.85 [1.06, 2.64]
2.4 Pain‐related disability (PDI, PRS)	2		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.4.1 Immediately after	2	2837	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.56 [‐0.64, ‐0.49]