Table 16.

Adverse reaction of the included studies.

Study	Reported adverse reactions
Wang Y 2021 (23)	Moxibustion + DMARDs: one case (vesicle). DMARDs: none.
Jiang L 2020 (28)	Acupuncture + DMARDs: none. DMARDs: two cases (oral ulceration and stomach discomfort, nausea)
Li Y 2010 (30)	Acupuncture + DMARDs: none. DMARDs: none.
Lu YL 2016 (32)	Warm needle + DMARDs: five cases (mild abdominal distension and discomfort). DMARDs: four cases (mild abdominal distension and discomfort).
Ma ZY 2016 (34)	Acupoint catgut embedding + DMARDs: three cases (slightly reddish and swollen skin). DMARDs: seven cases (2 cases of toxic adverse reactions and 5 cases of digestive tract discomfort).
Mu Y 2020 (35)	Fire needle + DMARDs: none. Acupuncture + DMARDs: one case (nausea).
Wang SQ 2018 (39)	Acupuncture + DMARDs: two cases (diarrhea and fatigue). DMARDs: 10 cases (loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, black stools).
Wu Y 2016 (43)	Warm needle + DMARDs: eight cases (lip ulcer, nausea, vomiting, gastritis, and diarrhea). DMARDs: six cases (lip ulcer, nausea, vomiting, gastritis, and diarrhea).
Zhang YD 2019 (50)	Fire needle + DMARDs: two cases (acid reflux and decreased appetite). Acupuncture + DMARDs: three cases (dizzy, vomit, and decreased appetite).
Zheng HY 2017 (51)	Electro-acupuncture + DMARDs: none. DMARDs: three cases (2 cases excluded and 1 case with seriously impaired liver function).