Table 3 Outcomes of randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture and conventional therapy

Chen (2010) [30]

Acupuncture

N = 33

Triamcinolone acetonide injection

N = 33

Pain relief and grip strength: cured rate based on subjective report

30/33 Cured

Cured rate: 92.4%

14/33 Cured

Cured rate: 42.4%

RR (95% CI)

2.14 (1.42 to 3.23)

P = 0.0003*

Davidson (2001) [18]

Acupuncture

N = 8

Pulsated ultrasound

N = 8

Pain-free grip strength: mean ± SD

At first treatment: 10.25 ± 5.84

At first treatment: 6.08 ± 4.19

MD (95% CI)

4.17 (−0.81 to 9.15), P = 0.10.

At last treatment: 14.09 ± 9.53

At last treatment: 11.96 ± 12.28

2.13 (−8.64 to 12.90), P = 0.70

Pain Score (VAS): mean ± SD

At first treatment: 39.63 ± 29.51

At first treatment: 46.50 ± 26.91

−6.81 (−34.48 to 20.86), P = 0.63

At last treatment: 13.63 ± 13.79

At last treatment: 32.69 ± 29.21

−19.06 (−41.44 to 3.32), P = 0.10

DASH score: mean ± SD

At first treatment: 36.35 ± 25.54

At first treatment: 38.02 ± 15.24

−1.67 (−22.28 to 18.94), P = 0.87

At last treatment: 23.75 ± 17.73

At last treatment: 33.23 ± 24.06

−9.48 (−30.19 to 11.23), P = 0.37

At 4 week FU: 23.75 ± 18.41

At 4 week FU: 22.40 ± 18.73

1.35 (−16.85 to 19.55), P = 0.88

Grua (1999) [19]

Acupuncture

N = 20

Pulsated ultrasound, massage

N = 20

Maigne functional recovery test: mean ± SD

At first visit: 15.0 ± 2.36

At first visit: 15.0 ± 2.70

MD (95% CI)

0.00 (−1.57 to 1.57), P = 1.00

At last treatment: 5.80 ± 3.37

At last treatment: 9.80 ± 3.65

−4.00 (−6.18 to −1.82), P = 0.0003*

At 6 months FU: 5.20 ± 3.64

At 6 months FU: 10.0 ± 3.45

−4.80 (−7.00 to −2.60, P < 0.0001*

Pain Score(VAS): mean ± SD

At first visit: 7.05 ± 1.47

At first visit: 7.05 ± 1.39

0.00 (−0.89 to 0.89), P = 1.00

At last treatment: 2.85 ± 1.81

At last treatment: 4.49 ± 1.64

−1.64 (−2.71 to −0.57), P = 0.003*

At 6 months FU: 2.05 ± 1.39

At 6 months FU: 4.90 ± 1.45

−2.85 (−3.73 to −1.97), P < 0.00001*

Lin (2011) [21]

Acupuncture

N = 36

Prednisolone injection

N = 36

Pain relief: VAS, cured rate based on subjective report

20/36 Cured

Cured rate: 55.5%

13/36 Cured

Cured rate: 36.1%

RR (95% CI)

1.54 (0.91 to 2.60)

P = 0.11

Shen (1999) [20]

Electro-acupuncture

N = 41

Prednisolone injection

N = 20

Pain relief and range of movement: cured rate based on subjective report

32/41 Cured

Cured rate: 78%

7/20 Cured

Cured rate: 35%

RR (95% CI)

2.23 (1.20 to 4.14)

P = 0.01*

Zha (2004) [31]

Acupuncture

N = 57

Hydrocortisone injection

N = 60

Pain relief and range of movement: cured rate based on ADL score

8/57 Cured

Cured rate: 14.03%

6/60 Cured

Cured rate: 10%

RR (95% CI)

1.40 (0.52 to 3.80)

P = 0.5

Zhang (2007) [32]

Acupuncture

N = 36

Meloxicam tablets

N = 32

Pain relief and range of movement: cured rate based on subjective report

26/36 Cured

Cured rate: 72.2%

15/32 Cured

Cured rate: 46.9%

RR (95% CI)

1.54 (1.01 to 2.34)

P = 0.04*