Table 1.
Main characteristics of included RCTs.
| Study | Country | Sample size | Allocation ratio | Age | Gender (M : F) | A | B | C | Main acupuncture points used | Duration of treatment | Efficacy and safety criteria | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment group | Control group I | Control group II | ||||||||||
| Chen (2021) [38] | China | 80 | 1 : 1 | A: 43.28 ± 6.43 B: 43.75 ± 5.89 |
A: (16 : 24) B: (18 : 22) |
MA | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), and Shui Gou (DU 26) | 28 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Chi (2021) [39] | China | 78 | 1 : 1 | A: 53.87 ± 6.13 B: 53.18 ± 6.69 |
A: (21 : 18) B: (20 : 19) |
MA + CM | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), Tian Zhu (BL 10), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Wan Gu (GB 12), He Gu (LI 4), Yin Tang (DU 29), and Shen Ting (DU 24) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Niu (2021) [40] | China | 72 | 1 : 1 | A: 56.37 ± 3.21 B: 56.43 ± 3.25 |
A: (16 : 20) B: (15 : 21) |
MA + CM | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Wan Gu (GB 12), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Feng Chi (GB 20), Wai Guan (SJ 5), He Gu (LI 4), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Qin (2021) [41] | China | 66 | 1 : 1 | A: 54.5 ± 7.8 B: 55.2 ± 6.3 |
A: (15 : 16) B: (14 : 19) |
MA + CM | CM (0.3–0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Yu Yao (EX-HN 4), Jia Che (ST 6), Xia Guan (ST 7), Si Bai (ST 2), Ashi point, Cheng Jiang (RN 24), Nei Guan (PC 6), and He Gu (LI 4) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Wang (2021) [42] | China | 72 | 1 : 1 | 42.54 ± 6.84 | 29 : 43 | AM + CM | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), He Gu (LI 4), Tai Chong (LR 3), Nei Ting (ST 44), and Cuan Zhu (BL 2) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Wang (2020) [43] | China | 42 | 1 : 1 | A: 46.98 ± 8.12 B: 45.61 ± 7.33 |
A: (9 : 12) B: (7 : 14) |
MA | CM (0.5–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Bai Hui (DU 20), Yin Tang (DU 29), He Gu (LI 4), and Xia Guan (ST 7) | 90 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Ta (2020) [44] | China | 72 | 1 : 1 | A: 48.64 ± 10.39 B: 46.69 ± 9.91 |
A: (22 : 14) B: (18 : 18) |
MA + CM | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Xia Guan (ST 7), Quan Liao (SI 18), Ying Xiang (LI 20), Si Bai (ST 2), Di Cang (ST 4), Jia Che (ST 6), Xia He Kong, Ke Kong, Nei Ting (ST 44), and He Gu (LI 4) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity | 1. A > B |
| Zhang (2019) [45] | China | 64 | 17 : 15 | A: 47.3 ± 5.7 B: 45.8 ± 9.2 |
A: (12 : 22) B: (11 : 19) |
MA | CM (0.3–0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Quan Liao (SI 18), Yang Ling Quan (GB 34), and Feng Long (ST 40) | 28 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Hao (2019) [46] | China | 54 | 1 : 1 | A: 45.6 ± 3.4 B: 47.2 ± 3.8 |
A: (12 : 15) B: (13 : 14) |
MA + CM | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Qu Bin (GB 7), Cuan Zhu (BL 2), Si Bai (ST 2), Jia Cheng Jiang, Xia Guan (ST 7), Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Shuai Gu (GB 8), Feng Chi (GB 20), Bai Hui (DU 20), He Gu (LI 4), Tai Chong (LR 3), and Wai Guan (SJ 5) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Wu (2019a) [47] | China | 28 | 1 : 1 | A: 45.24 ± 10.78 B: 47.06 ± 11.02 |
A: (5 : 9) B: (4 : 10) |
AM | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Xia Guan (ST 7) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A < B |
| Xu (2019) [48] | China | 66 | 1 : 1 | A: 54.5 ± 2.2 B: 54.8 ± 1.9 |
A: (18 : 15) B: (19 : 14) |
AM + CM | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Yu Yao (EX-HN 4), Ying Xiang (LI 20), Ting Gong (SI 19), Yang Bai (GB 14), Si Bai (ST 2), Jia Cheng Jiang, Xia Guan (ST 7), Di Cang (ST 4), Jia Che (ST 6), Zu San Li (ST 36), A Shi, and He Gu (LI 4) | 20 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Mu (2019) [49] | China | 100 | 1 : 1 | A: 42.6 ± 5.7 B: 43.1 ± 5.4 |
A: (23 : 27) B: (22 : 28) |
MA | CM (0.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Yin Tang (DU 29), Shui Gou (DU 26), Shen Ting (DU 24), Wan Gu (GB 12), Tian Zhu (BL 10), Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), and Wai Guan (SJ 5) | 30 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Wu (2019b) [50] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | A: 48.2 ± 10.1 B: 48.3 ± 10.7 |
A: (15 : 15) B: (15 : 15) |
MA | AM | — | Xia Guan (ST 7) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A < B 2. A < B |
| Liu (2019) [51] | China | 88 | 1 : 1 | A: 48.72 ± 5.27 B: 48.34 ± 5.72 |
A: (17 : 27) B: (19 : 25) |
MA | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), Shen Ting (DU 24), He Gu (LI 4), Yin Tang (DU 29), Wan Gu (GB 12), Tian Zhu (BL 10), and Shui Gou (DU 26) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Wang (2019) [52] | China | 30 | 1 : 1 | A: 45.8 ± 7.9 B: 44.8 ± 7.7 |
A: (7 : 8) B: (8 : 7) |
MA | CM (0.5–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | He Gu (LI 4), Yin Tang (DU 29), Xia Guan (ST 7), Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), and Bai Hui (DU 20) | 90 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Gao (2019) [17] | China | 126 | 31 : 32 | A: 63.97 ± 13.63 B: 63.96 ± 11.81 |
A: (20 : 42) B: (19 : 35) |
MA + CM (0.6–1.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | SA + CM (0.6–1.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | MA/SA: Nei Ting (ST 44), He Gu (LI 4), San Jian (LI 3), Yu Yao (EX-HN 4), Cuan Zhu (BL 2), Yang Bai (GB 14), Quan Liao (SI 18), Si Bai (ST 2), Ju Liao (ST 3), Jia Che (ST 6), and Xia Guan (ST 7) | 70 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity | 1. A > B |
| Si (2018) [53] | China | 66 | 1 : 1 | A: 57.12 ± 7.89 B: 56.36 ± 7.56 |
A: (12 : 21) B: (13 : 20) |
EA + CM | CM (0.3–0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Si Bai (ST 2), Xia Guan (ST 7), Feng Chi (GB 20), Jia Che (ST 6), and Cheng Jiang (RN 24) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Liang (2018) [54] | China | 86 | 1 : 1 | A: 45.3 ± 4.6 B: 45.6 ± 4.3 |
A: (20 : 23) B: (18 : 25) |
MA | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), Shou San Li (LI 10), Xia Guan (ST 7), Yi Feng (SJ 17), He Gu (LI 4), Tou Wei (ST 8), Yang Bai (GB 14), Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Si Bai (ST 2), Ting Hui (GB 2), Ying Xiang (LI 20), and Cheng Jiang (RN 24) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Huang (2018a) [55] | China | 64 | 1 : 1 | A: 44.86 ± 6.39 B: 43.64 ± 5.47 |
A: (12 : 21) B: (11 : 20) |
MA | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Xia Guan (ST 7), Feng Chi (GB 20), Jia Che (ST 6), He Gu (LI 4), and Di Cang (ST 4) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Yan (2018) [56] | China | 72 | 1 : 1 | A: 43.13 ± 6.45 B: 44.18 ± 7.34 |
A: (14 : 22) B: (11 : 25) |
MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Xia Guan (ST 7), Feng Chi (GB 20), Jia Che (ST 6), He Gu (LI 4), and Di Cang (ST 4) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Li (2018a) [57] | China | 56 | 1 : 1 | A: 44.64 ± 9.86 B: 44.89 ± 7.71 |
A: (11 : 17) B: (12 : 16) |
MA + EA | MA | — | MA: Xia Guan (ST 7), Si Bai (ST 2), Tai Chong (LR 3), Nei Ting (ST 44), Jia Che (ST 6), He Gu (LI 4), Di Cang (ST 4), Yang Bai (GB 14), Cuan Zhu (BL 2), Quan Liao (SI 18), Ju Liao (ST 3), Cheng Jiang (RN 24 EA: Xia Guan (ST 7), and Di Cang (ST 4)) | 14 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Huang (2018b) [58] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | A: 51.30 ± 13.77 B: 53.10 ± 13.83 |
A: (14 : 16) B: (13 : 17) |
FA | MA | — | FA/MA: Xia Guan (ST 7), A Shi, He Gu (LI 4), and Tai Chong (LR 3) | 24 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Li (2018b) [59] | China | 88 | 1 : 1 | A: 42.03 ± 2.56 B: 41.20 ± 2.33 |
A: (21 : 23) B: (20 : 24) |
MA | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), He Gu (LI 4), Wan Gu (GB 12), Tian Zhu (BL 10), Shui Gou (DU 26), Feng Chi (GB 20), and Wai Guan (SJ 5) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Long (2018) [60] | China | 70 | 1 : 1 | A: 55.23 ± 6.16 B: 55.10 ± 5.05 |
A: (13 : 22) B: (14 : 21) |
AM + CM | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Xia Guan (ST 7) and A Shi | 21 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Ying (2018) [61] | China | 124 | 1 : 1 | A: 62.37 ± 5.41 B: 62.11 ± 5.28 |
A: (25 : 37) B: (27 : 35) |
EA + CM | CM (0.3–0.4 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Si Bai (ST 2), Tou Wei (ST 8), Xia Guan (ST 7), Quan Liao (SI 18), Jia Che (ST 6), Cheng Jiang (RN 24), Cheng Jiang (RN 24), Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), and Tai Chong (LR 3) | 28 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Huang (2017) [11] | China | 36 | 1 : 1 | A: 49 ± 14 B: 49 ± 12 |
A: (8 : 10) B: (9 : 9) |
MA + EA | EA | — | A Shi, Tai Chong (LR 3), and He Gu (LI 4) | 20 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Guo (2017) [62] | China | 40 | 1 : 1 | A: 53 ± 7 B: 56 ± 7 |
A: (16 : 4) B: (16 : 4) |
EA + CM (0.3–0.4 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | MA + CM (0.3–0.4 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | EA: Jia Ji (EX-B2) MA: Tai Chong (LR 3), He Gu (LI 4), Xia Guan (ST 7), Si Bai (ST 2), Nei Ting (ST 44), Di Cang (ST 4), and Cuan Zhu (BL 2) | 21 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity | 1. A = B |
| Pan (2017) [63] | China | 62 | 1 : 1 | A: 54 ± 11 B: 59 ± 11 |
A: (13 : 18) B: (12 : 18) |
MA + CM | CM (0.4–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Auricular point (Xin, Fei, Shen Men), An Mian, Ying Xiang (LI 20), and Zu San Li (ST 36) | 28 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A = B 2. A > B |
| Su (2017) [64] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | A: 47 ± 9.5 B: 48.33 ± 10.2 |
A: (9 : 21) B: (10 : 20) |
EA | MA | — | Han Yan (GB 4), Xuan Li (GB 6), Shuai Gu (GB 8), Qu Bin (GB 7), Xia Guan (ST 7), and He Gu (LI 4) | 21 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A = B |
| He (2017) [65] | China | 62 | 1 : 1 | A: 61.51 ± 10.55 B: 57.03 ± 11.78 |
A: (16 : 15) B: (17 : 14) |
MA + EA | EA | — | MA + EA: Quan Xi points MA: He Gu (LI 4), Xia Guan (ST 7), Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), Tai Chong (LR 3), Nei Ting (ST 44), and Jia Che (ST 6) | 20 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Shen (2016) [66] | China | 80 | 1 : 1 | A: 59.57 ± 6.27 B: 59.82 ± 6.82 |
A: (23 : 17) B: (22 : 18) |
MA + CM | CM (0.5–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Xiao (2016) [67] | China | 100 | 1 : 1 | A: 54.4 ± 10.8 B: 54.2 ± 11.5 |
A: (13 : 37) B: (15 : 35) |
MA | CM (0.4 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | He Gu (LI 4), Xue Hai (SP 10), and Ge Shu (BL 17) | 28 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Feng (2016) [68] | China | 217 | 1 : 1 | A: 58.4 ± 4.3 B: 58.3 ± 4.2 |
A: (45 : 64) B: (46 : 62) |
MA + CM | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Shui Gou (DU 26), Yin Tang (DU 29), Wai Guan (SJ 5), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 28 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Li (2016) [69] | China | 50 | 1 : 1 | 60.1 ± 3.4 | 31 : 19 | MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Zhang (2016) [70] | China | 166 | 1 : 1 | A: 45.3 ± 2.3 B: 45.5 ± 2.2 |
A: (47 : 36) B: (48 : 35) |
MA + CM | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | He Gu (LI 4), Feng Chi (GB 20), Jia Che (ST 6), Tai Chong (LR 3), Nei Ting (ST 44), Xia Guan (ST 7), and Di Cang (ST 4) | 30 days | 1. Response rate | 1.A > B |
| Wang (2016) [71] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | — | A: (14 : 16) B: (13 : 17) |
EA + CM (0.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | MA + CM (0.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | He Gu (LI 4), Tai Chong (LR 3), Nei Ting (ST 44), Xia Guan (ST 7), Di Cang (ST 4), and Si Bai (ST 2) | 14 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Zhou (2016) [72] | China | 65 | 1 : 1 | A: 42.2 ± 6.1 B: 43.5 ± 5.8 |
A: (20 : 13) B: (19 : 13) |
MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Liu (2016) [73] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | A: 42.86 ± 6.28 B: 42.67 ± 5.84 |
A: (11 : 19) B: (10 : 20) |
MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 28 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Xie (2016) [74] | China | 80 | 1 : 1 | 40.1 ± 0.2 | — | MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Liu (2015) [75] | China | 84 | 1 : 1 | A: 54.27 ± 3.15 B: 53.71 ± 3.40 |
A: (20 : 22) B: (17 : 25) |
MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 28 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Wang (2015) [76] | China | 70 | 1 : 1 | 51.3 ± 8.9 | 30 : 40 | MA | CM (0.45–63 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Xia (2015) [77] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | — | A: (17 : 13) B: (14 : 16) |
MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Yin Tang (DU 29), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), Wan Gu (GB 12), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Wang (2014) [78] | China | 38 | 1 : 1 | 59.3 ± 2.5 | 23 : 15 | MA | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Feng Chi (GB 20), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Shen Ting (DU 24), Shui Gou (DU 26), and Tian Zhu (BL 10) | 30 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Zhou (2014) [79] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | — | 25 : 35 | EA | CM (0.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | He Gu (LI 4) and Xia Guan (ST 7) | 28 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Liu (2014) [80] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | A: 50.20 ± 8.47 B: 48.37 ± 7.97 |
A: (9 : 21) B: (11 : 17) |
MA | SA | — | MA: He Gu (LI 4), Xia Guan (ST 7), Di Cang (ST 4), and Si Bai (ST 2) SA: 1 cm lateral to the MA points |
20 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B 3. A > B |
| Xie (2014) [81] | China | 63 | 20 : 21 : 22 | A: 55.2 ± 6.9 B: 55.1 ± 6.8 C: 55.2 ± 6.8 |
A: (5 : 15) B: (5 : 16) C: (5 : 17) |
EA | MA | FA | MA: Si Bai (ST 2), Jia Che (ST 6), Di Cang (ST 4), Yang Bai (GB 14), Quan Liao (SI 18), Cheng Jiang (RN 24), Ying Xiang (LI 20), Shui Gou (DU 26), Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), and Yu Yao (EX-HN 4) EA: A Shi and the same acupoints as MA FA: Xia Guan (ST 7) and the rest are the same as MA |
30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity | 1. A > B |
| Li (2014) [82] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | 52.0 ± 3.5 | 19 : 41 | EA + CM | CM (0.2–0.4 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Si Bai (ST 2), Yu Yao (EX-HN 4), He Gu (LI 4), Xia Guan (ST 7), and Jia Cheng Jiang | 14 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Zhang (2013) [83] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | 52.5 | 24 : 29 | EA + CM | CM (0.3–0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tou Wei (ST 8) and He Gu (LI 4) | 15 days | 1. Response rate 2. Adverse events |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Wang (2013) [84] | China | 40 | 1 : 1 | A: 54.54 ± 2.3 B: 53.92 ± 2.8 |
A: (3 : 17) B: (5 : 15) |
MA + CM | CM (0.2–1.2 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Tai Yang (EX-HN 5) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A > B 2. A > B |
| Luo (2013) [85] | China | 40 | 1 : 1 | A: 52.10 ± 12.34 B: 48.30 ± 11.26 |
A: (7 : 13) B: (6 : 14) |
MA | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Bai Hui (DU 20), Si Shen Cong (EX-HN1), Tai Yang (EX-HN 5), He Gu (LI 4), Wai Guan (SJ 5), Xia Guan (ST 7), Di Cang (ST 4), Si Bai (ST 2), and Cuan Zhu (BL 2) | 14 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate 3. Adverse events |
1. A = B 2. A = B 3. A > B |
| Zhao (2011) [86] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | 38–64 | 27 : 33 | MA | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | He Gu (LI 4) and Tai Chong (LR 3) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity | 1. A > B |
| Zheng (2011) [87] | China | 24 | 1 : 1 | 52.2 ± 17.5 | 8 : 16 | MA | CM (0.6–0.8 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Xia Guan (ST 7) | 30 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Han (2009) [88] | China | 60 | 1 : 1 | — | A: (18 : 12) B: (14 : 16) |
EA | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Xia Guan (ST 7) | 10 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Zhao (2009) [89] | China | 62 | 1 : 1 | — | A: (12 : 19) B: (14 : 17) |
MA | CM (0.2–0.4 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Zhong Wan (RN 12) and Guan Yuan (RN 4) | 30 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Li (2009) [90] | China | 50 | 1 : 1 | — | 21 : 29 | MA + CM | CM (0.6 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Yu Yao (EX-HN 4), Xia Guan (ST 7), Si Bai (ST 2), Di Cang (ST 4), Jia Cheng Jiang, Nei Ting (ST 44), and He Gu (LI 4) | 30 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Jiao (2008) [91] | China | 192 | 1 : 1 | A: 53.38 ± 9.45 B: 51.53 ± 10.83 |
A: (35 : 61) B: (36 : 60) |
MA | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Quan Liao (SI 18) | 30 days | 1. Reduction of pain intensity 2. Response rate |
1. A < B 2. A < B |
| Zhang (2006) [92] | China | 72 | 1 : 1 | A: 59.3 ± 3.5 B: 57.5 ± 5.8 |
A: (14 : 22) B: (15 : 21) |
MA | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Quan Liao (SI 18) | 24 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
| Zhou (2004) [93] | China | 49 | 31 : 18 | A: 42.86 ± 6.28 B: 42.67 ± 5.84 |
A: (8 : 23) B: (6 : 12) |
MA | CM (0.3 g/day dose of carbamazepine) | — | Quan Liao (SI 18) | 24 days | 1. Response rate | 1. A > B |
MA: manual acupuncture; EA: electroacupuncture; FA: fire acupuncture; AM: acupuncture-moxibustion; SA: sham acupuncture; CM: conventional medicine.