Table 1 Summary of Randomized Controlled Trials of acupuncture for Occipital neuralgia

 Chen2014

Occipital neuralgia (37/37)

I: 20/17;

I: 44.4 ± 11.0;

A) AT (Ashi points; 1–2 times a day for 3 days, 20–30 min; Reducing manipulation)

B) Medication treatment

1) VAS

C: 19/18

C: 46.2 ± 10.7

2) Effective rate

 Li2016

Occipital neuralgia (29/29/25)

I: 12/17;

I: 36 ± 9.3;

A) AT (GB20, EX-B2, Anmyeon points; 1 time a day for 6 days, 30 min; Proximal-needle, Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation, Technique for getting de qi)

B) AT (Conventional-needle, Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation, Technique for getting de qi)

1) VAS

C1: 14/15;

C1: 39 ± 8.4;

2) Effective rate

C2: 11/14

C2: 40 ± 9.7

3) Recurrence rate

C) Medication treatment

 Ning2012

Occipital neuralgia (30/30)

I: 12/18;

I: 53.2 ± 12.358;

A) AT (BL9, GB20, GB12, EX-B2, EX-HN14, Ashi points; 1 time a day for 6 days, 20 min; Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation)

B) Medication treatment

1) VAS

C: 11/19

C: 51.6 ± 12.478

 Cui2011

Occipital neuralgia (30/30/30)

I: 13/17;

I: 28–65;

A) AT (GB20, EX-HN14, EX-B2, Ashi points; 1 time a day for 20 days, 22 min; Twirling manipulation)

B) AT (『针灸治疗学』 method, Twisting method, Technique for getting de qi)

1) VAS

C1: 16/14;

C1: 25–67;

2) BRS-6

C2: 12/18

C2: 26–66

3) Effective rate

C) Medication treatment

 Hong2014

Occipital neuralgia (30/27)

I: 14/16;

I: 45.1 ± 13.4;

A) AT (Ashi points; 1 time a day for 5 days; Fire needle, Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation)

B) Medication treatment

1) VAS

C: 12/15

C: 46.0 ± 12.9

2) Effective rate

 Gao2016

Occipital neuralgia (30/30)

I: 10/20;

I: 51.8;

A) AT (GB8, GV20, GB20, LI4, PC6, LU7, LR3, EX-HN1, EX-HN3, EX-HN5, EX-B2; 1 time a day for 28 days, 30 min; Twirling manipulation, Lifting manipulation, Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation)

B) Medication treatment

1) Effective rate

C: 8/22

C: 50.9

 Liu2006

The Greater Occipital neuralgia (30/30)

I: 19/11;

I: 25–57;

A) AT (GB18, GB39, Ashi points; 1 time a day for 10 days, 30 min; Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation, Technique for getting de qi)

B) Medication treatment

1) Effective rate

C: 17/13

C: 22–53

 Yang2016

Occipital neuralgia (38/37)

I: 22/16;

I: 54.32 ± 10.53;

A) AT (GB20, TE17, GB12, GV14, LI4, TE5, LR3, KI3, ST40, SP10, ST36, SP6, EX-B2, EX-HN5, Ashi points; 1 time a day for a week, 30 min; Fire needle, Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation)

B) Medication treatment

1) Effective rate

C: 23/14

C: 58.77 ± 11.61

2) Daily pain time index

 Lin2005

Occipital neuralgia (35/32)

I: 21/14;

I: 46;

A) AT (Wrist-Ankle region; 1 time a day for 10 days; Needle-embedding therapy)

B) Medication treatment

1) Effective rate

C: 19/13

C: 47

 Xu2014

Occipital neuralgia (32/30/30)

I: 14/18;

I: 49.25;

A) AT + Medication treatment (GV20, GB20, EX-B2, Ashi points; 1 time a day for 20 days, 22 min)

B) AT (Same with intervention)

1) VAS

C1: 13/17;

C1: 50.23:

2) Effective rate

C2: 12/18

C2: 48.94

C) Medication treatment

 Li2007

Occipital neuralgia (34/34)

I: 16/18;

I: 37.7;

A) AT + Medication treatment (GB20, BL10, GB8, ST8, GB5, EX-HN5; 1 time a day for 6 days, 30 min; Reinforcing-Reducing manipulation, Technique for getting de qi)

B) Medication treatment

1) Effective rate

C: 15/19

C: 38.6