Table 2 Outcomes of randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture and sham acupuncture

Fink (2002) [15]

Acupuncture

Sham-acupuncture

Strength test (peak muscle force):

MD (95% CI)

N = 14

N = 15

mean ± SD

At baseline: 90.5 ± 40.40

At baseline: 77.7± 36.40

12.80 (−15.26 to 40.86), P = 0.37

At 2 weeks FU: 128.2 ± 41.64

At 2 weeks FU: 92.75 ± 34.78

35.45 (7.42 to 63.48), P = 0.01*

At 2 months FU: 142.9 ± 41.56

At 2 months FU: 114.2 ± 46.08

28.70 (−3.20 to 60.60), P = 0.08

Pain (VAS): mean ± SD

At baseline: 16.46 ± 3.10

At baseline: 17.17 ± 3.76

−1.24 (−3.74 to 1.26), P = 0.33

At 2 weeks FU: 8.03 ± 4.60

At 2 weeks FU: 12.28 ± 4.14

−4.25 (−7.44 to −1.06), P = 0.009*

At 2 months FU: 6.01 ± 5.09

At 2 months FU: 8.73 ± 5.03

−2.72 (−6.41 to 0.97), P = 0.15

DASH scores: mean ± SD

At baseline: 38.08 ± 13.66

At baseline: 33.72 ± 13.05

4.36 (−5.38 to 14.10), P = 0.38

At 2 weeks FU: 14.38 ± 9.35

At 2 weeks FU: 25.18 ± 13.63

−10.80 (−19.26 to −2.34), P = 0.01*

At 2 months FU: 11.14 ± 13.10

At 2 months FU: 18.85 ± 13.75

−7.71 (−17.48 to 2.06), P = 0.12

Irnich (2003) [17]

Acupuncture

Sham-acupuncture

Pressure pain threshold (kg/cm²):

N = 25

N = 25

mean ± SD

At baseline: 3.15 ± 0.69

At baseline: 2.68 ± 0.65

0.47 (0.10 to 0.84), P = 0.01*

At first treatment: 0.32 ± 0.31

At first treatment: 0.16 ± 0.176

0.16 (0.02 to 0.30), P = 0.02*

At last treatment: 0.93 ± 0.49

At last treatment: 0.63 ± 0.42

0.30 (0.05 to 0.55), P = 0.02*

At 2 weeks FU: 1.30 ± 0.60

At 2 weeks FU: 0.66 ± 0.49

0.64 (0.34 to 0.94), P < 0.0001*

Pain-free grip strength:

At baseline: 64.7 ± 34.00

At baseline: 53.7 ± 17.70

11.00 (−4.03 to 26.03), P = 0.15

mean ± SD

At first treatment: 7.12 ± 8.13

At first treatment: 2.47 ± 3.14

4.65 (1.23 to 8.07), P = 0.008*

At last treatment: 21.54 ± 14.35

At last treatment: 8.53 ± 9.05

13.01 (6.36 to 19.66), P = 0.0001*

At 2 weeks FU: 27.95 ± 15.66

At 2 weeks FU: 7.4 ± 7.90

20.55 (13.67 to 27.43), P < 0.00001*

Impairment caused by pain (NRS):

At baseline: 8.19

At baseline: 7.72

Calculation of MD not possible

At first treatment: −1.57

At first treatment: −0.80

At last treatment: −4.31

At last treatment: −2.04*

At 2 weeks FU: −4.77 (59% mean decrease in impairment caused by pain)

At 2 weeks FU: −1.88* (24% mean decrease in impairment caused by pain)

Molsberger (1994) [16]

Acupuncture

Sham-acupuncture

11-point box pain scale (NRS):

Immediately after treatment:

Immediately after treatment:

MD (95% CI)

N = 24

N = 24

55.8% (2.95) mean pain reduction,

15.0% (2.77) mean pain reduction,

40.80 (39.18 to 42.42), P < 0.001*

19/24 subjects reported pain relief of ≥ 50% (NRS ≥ 5)

6/24 subjects reported pain relief of ≥ 50% (NRS ≥ 5)

RR (95% CI) 3.17 (1.53 to 6.52), P < 0.002*