Table 3.
Description of included studies.
| Study | Study Design | Number of Patients | Pain Outcome | Follow Up | Rationale | Inclusion Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ji et al., 2015 [44] | Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. | 12 Studies (randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials) involving 1842 participants | VAS (n = 3) | Not reported | All 12 studies used TCM rationale for point selection | Studies chose participants with either subjective signs of sciatica or positive clinical examination tests or both. Conformity was limited on inclusion criteria among studies. |
| Huang et al., 2020 [40] | Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. | 24 RCTs included in systematic review, 22 RCTs in Meta-analysis. Only 3 RCTs on sciatica involving 196 patients |
VAS (n = 2), NRS (n = 1) | Kim et al., 2016: weeks 6 and 12, see below for Huang et al. [41] and Zhang et al. [38] | Kim et al., 2016: point selection was at the discretion of Korean Medical Doctors and was individualize. See below for Huang et al., 2019 and Zhang et al., 2017 | Kim et al., 2016: required clinical and radiological confirmation along with symptoms of radiating pain in the leg. See below for Huang et al. [41] and Zhang et al. [38] |
| Huang et al., 2019 [41] | RCT | 44 patients | VAS | Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 16, and 28. Primary outcome was VAS at 4 weeks. | Selection of points was based on expert consensus and protocol of a previous trial. | Patients with chronic sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation. Diagnosis was based on MRI, CT and examination of symptoms by experienced physicians. |
| Lewis et al., 2015 [24] | Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. 122 studies included | Only a single RCT on acupuncture was included, Duplan, 1983 (French) involving 30 patients | No data reported. | No data reported | Not reported | Patients with clinical diagnosis of sciatica based on nerve root pain and referred pain |
| Liu et al., 2019 [22] | Randomized Controlled Pilot Study | 30 patients | VAS | 4 weeks | Acupoint selection was based on acupuncturist experience and TCM theory. However, sciatic dermatomes were considered in point selection | Patients selected based on radicular pain in L4, L5, S1 dermatomes, findings of radicular pain, motor, sensory or reflex deficits on neurological exam, positive SLR, leg pain upon sneezing, coughing or straining and positive MRI showing unilateral disc herniation with impingement on L4, L5 or S1 nerve root. |
| Luijsterburg et al., 2007 [43] | Systematic Review. 30 publications included |
Only a single RCT on acupuncture was included, Duplan, 1983 (French) involving 30 patients | No data reported. | No data reported | Not reported | Patients with clinical diagnosis of sciatica based on nerve root pain and referred pain |
| Qin et al., 2015 [45] | Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | 11 RCTs included with 932 participants. 9 were in Chinese, 2 were in English | VAS (n = 3) | Reported only in 1 study as 6 months | All studies adopted a treatment theory based on TCM theory and clinical experience. | Patients with sciatica of the nerve roots along with lumbar disc herniation (n = 8 studies). Patients diagnosed with sciatica of the nerve trunk without lumbar disc herniation (n = 3 studies) |
| Zhang et al., 2017 [38] | RCT | 100 patients | NRS | Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 16, and 28. Primary outcome was meanchange in NRS at week 4 | Protocol based on specialist consensus and results of a previous pilot trial | Included participants with sciatica symptoms that correlated with MRI or CT findings of lumbar disc herniation |
| Jeong et al., 2020 [39] | RCT | 146 patients | VAS | Weeks 2, 4 and 6. Primary outcome was mean change in VAS at week 4 | Acupuncture rationale not specified | Included patients diagnosed with LDH based on clinical examination with positive MRI or CT and symptoms of low back pain, radiating pain, and paresthesia or weakness in the lower extremities |
| Lewis et al., 2011 [42] | Systematic Review. Cost-effectiveness of treatments for sciatica. 270 studies | Only a single RCT on acupuncture was included, Duplan, 1983 (French) involving 30 patients | No data provided | No data reported | Not reported | Patients with clinical diagnosis of sciatica based on nerve root pain and referred pain |
VAS: visual analog scale 0–100 mm; NRS: 11-point numeric rating scale; TCM: traditional Chinese medicine; RCT: randomized controlled trial; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; CT: Computed tomography; LDH: lumbar disc herniation.