Table 2.
Details of acupuncture methods according to STRICTA.
| Study | Acupuncture rationale | Details of needling | Treatment regimen | Other components | Practitioner | Comparator interventions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | 1b | 1c | 2a | 2b | 2c | 2d | 2e | 2f | 2g | 3a | 3b | 4a | 4b | 5 | 6a | 6b | |
| Wang, 2021 [31] | TCM | Y | Y | 13 | Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shuigou (DU 26), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Yifeng (SJ 17), Jingjin and Yuye (EX-HN12) | 13–60 mm | Deqi | Manual | NR | Diameter and length: NR and 75 mm Needle brand: NR |
60 | Frequency: 1 time per day Duration: 60 days |
NR | NR | NR | Y | Y |
| Qin, 2020 [32] | TCM | Y | Y | 6 | Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Shuigou (DU 26) | 13–40 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: NR and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
48 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Tang, 2020 [33] | TCM | Y | Y | 15 | Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengfu (DU 16), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) | ≤25 mm | Deqi | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Andi |
24 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 4 weeks |
Y | NR | NR | NR | Y |
| Xia, 2020a [34] | TCM | Y | Y | 2 | Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16) | 15–20 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: NR EA: KWD-808i EA apparatus |
56 | Frequency: 1 time per day Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | Y | Y | NR | Y |
| Xia, 2020b [35] | TCM | Y | Y | 2 | Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16) | ≤40 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato EA: Hwato EA apparatus |
56 | Frequency: 1 time per day Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Zhang, 2019 [36] | TCM | Y | Y | 5/8 | Baihui (DU 20), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL 23)/Xinshu (BL 15), Zusanli (ST 36), Sishencong (EX-HN1) | 5–12 mm | NR | Fire | NR | NR | 12 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 3 months |
NR | NR | NR | Y | Y |
| Tang, 2019 [37] | TCM | Y | Y | 11 | Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16), Danzhong(RN 17), Zusanli (ST 36), Dazhu (BL 11), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39) | ≤40 mm | Deqi | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Andi |
24 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 4 weeks |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Yuan, 2019 [38] | TCM | Y | Y | 4 | Sishenzhen, Niesanzhen, Naosanzhen, Zhisanzhen | ≤40 mm | NR | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Huanqiu |
40 | Frequency: 5 times per week Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | NR |
| Feng, 2019 [39] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16), Shenting (DU 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Shangyintang, Dazhong (KI 4) | 15–25 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.2 mm and 25 mm Needle brand: NR EA: SDZ-V EA apparatus |
36 | Frequency: 3 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Wang, 2018 [40] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Danzhong(RN 17), Zhongwan (RN 12), Qihai (RN 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Waiguan (SJ 5), Xuehai (SP 10) | ≤40 mm | NR | Manual | NR | Diameter and length: NR and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
126 | Frequency: 1 time per day Duration: 18 weeks |
NR | NR | NR | Y | Y |
| Jiang, 2018 [41] | TCM | Y | Y | 3 | Naohu (DU 17), Naokong (GB 19), Shenting (DU 24), Benshen (GB 13), 3 points (2 cuns straight up the erjian, 1 cun front, and 1 cun back) | ≤25 mm | NR | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 25 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
65–66 | Frequency: 7 times 9 days Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| He, 2018 [42] | TCM | Y | Y | 10 | Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Zhiyang (DU 9), Mingmen (DU 4), Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39) | ≤30 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.25 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Jiajian |
72 | Frequency: 6 times per weeks Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Feng, 2017 [43] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Baihui (DU 20), Sshenting (DU 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Shangyintang, Dazhong (KI 4), Fengfu (DU 16) | 15–25 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.2 mm and 25 mm Needle brand: Hwato EA: SDZ-V EA apparatus |
36 | Frequency: 3 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Jia, 2017 [44] | TCM | Y | Y | 9 | Danzhong (RN 17), Zhongwan (RN 12), Qihai (RN 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Waiguan (SJ 5), Xuehai (SP 10) | 15–25 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
36 | Frequency: 3 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Peng, 2017 [45] | TCM | Y | Y | 7 | Shenting (DU 24), Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU14), Fengfu (DU 16), Mingmen (DU 4), Yongquan (KI 1) | ≤40 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 25 min | Diameter and length: 0.25 mm and (25–40) mm Needle brand: Hwato EA: G6805-II EA apparatus |
30 | Frequency: 1 time per day Duration: 3 months |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Ben, 2016 [46] | TCM | Y | Y | 4 | Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) | 25–60 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 25–60 mm Needle brand: NR EA: G91-D EA apparatus |
72 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| Lin, 2016 [47] | TCM | Y | Y | 13 | Naohu (DU 17), Naokong (GB 19), Shenting (DU 24), Benshen (GB 13), 3 points (2 cuns straight up the erjian, 1 cun front, and 1 cun back) | ≤40 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Huanqiu |
60 | Frequency: 5 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Wang, 2015 [48] | TCM | Y | Y | 2 | Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16) | 13–25 mm | Deqi | Electrical | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 25 mm Needle brand: Hwato EA: G6805 EA apparatus |
72 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| Liu, 2015 [49] | TCM | Y | Y | 2 | Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14) | 13 mm | NR | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: NR and 30–40 mm Needle brand: NR |
84 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| Li, 2014a [50] | WM | Y | Y | 15 | Parietal area, preparietal area, frontal area | ≤40 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: NR |
56 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| Wang, 2014 [51] | TCM | Y | Y | 4 | Coronal suture, sagittal suture, lambdoidal suture, frontotemporal sutures | 25–35 mm | NR | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
20 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 20 days |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Ke, 2014 [52] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Yintang (DU 29), Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Xuanzhong (GB 39) | 13–50 mm | NR | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
24 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 4 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Ni, 2014 [53] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (DU 29), Xuanzhong (GB 39) | 2.5–20 mm | NR | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
24 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 4 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Zhang, 2014 [54] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (DU 29), Xuanzhong (GB 39) | 7.5–50 mm | NR | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
24 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 4 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Yang, 2014 [55] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (DU 29), Xuanzhong (GB 39) | 7.5–50 mm | NR | Manual | 40 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
24 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 4 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Li, 2014b [56] | TCM | Y | Y | 10/14 | Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Dazhu (BL 11), Feishu (BL 13), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL20), Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23)/Baihui (DU 20), Zhongwan (RN 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (RN 4), zusanli (ST 36), Xiajuxu (ST 39) | 13–32.5 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 25/40 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
40 | Frequency: 5 times per week Duration: 8 weeks |
Y | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Lin, 2014 [57] | TCM | Y | Y | 8 | Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) | 40–50 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.28–0.3 mm and 40–50 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
72 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Yan, 2014 [58] | TCM | Y | Y | 11 | Shenting (DU 24), Benshen (GB 13), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Shenmen (HT 7), Taixi (KI 3) | 13–40 mm | Deqi | Manual | 20 min | Diameter and length: 0.3–0.32 mm and 13–25 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
60 | Frequency: 5 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | NR | NR | NR | Y |
| Gu, 2014 [59] | TCM | Y | Y | 14 | Shenting (DU 24), Baihui (DU 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (RN 17), Zhongwan (RN 12), Qihai (RN 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36) | 13–40 mm | Deqi | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40–50 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
96 | Frequency: 6 times per week Duration: 16 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Sun, 2013 [60] | TCM | Y | Y | 4 | 4 points (1.5 cuns far from the Baihui (DU 20)) | NR | NR | Manual | 30 min | NR | 32 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 32 days |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| Yin, 2013 [61] | TCM | Y | Y | 4 | Parietemporal anterior oblique line, parietemporal posterior oblique line | 30–45 mm | Deqi | Manual | 45 min | Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40–50 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
84 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | Y | Y |
| Zhu, 2010 [62] | TCM | Y | Y | 7 | Baihui (DU 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Xuehai (SP 10), Geshu (BL 17) | 13–40 mm | NR | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.38 mm and 10–75 mm Needle brand: Hwato |
56 | Frequency: 1 time per week Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | Y | NR | NR | Y |
| Jiang, 2004 [63] | TCM | Y | Y | 7–8 | Baihui (DU 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6)/Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB 20), Taixi (KI 3), Zusanli (ST 36) | ≤40 mm | NR | Manual | 30 min | Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm Needle brand: NR |
40 | Frequency: 5 times per week Duration: 8 weeks |
NR | NR | NR | NR | Y |
| Dong, 2002 [64] | TCM | Y | Y | 10–14 | Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)/Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB 20), Taixi (KI 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Taichong (LR 3) | NR | Deqi | Electrical | 40 min | NR | 60 | Frequency: 5 times per week Duration: 12 weeks |
NR | NR | NR | NR | Y |
Notes. 1a: style of acupuncture, 1b: reasoning for treatment provided, 1c: extent to which treatment was varied, 2a: number of needle insertions per subject per session, 2b: names of points used, 2c: depth of insertion, 2d: response sought, 2e: needle stimulation, 2f: needle retention time, 2g: needle type, 3a: number of treatment sessions, 3b: frequency and duration of treatment sessions, 4a: details of other interventions administered to the acupuncture group, 4b: setting and context of treatment, 5: description of participating acupuncturists, 6a: rationale for the control or comparator, 6b: precise description of the control or comparator, NR: not recorded, and Y: yes.