Needling Point Location Used in Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

When sham acupuncture is set as a control in evaluating acupuncture, the sham needling technique is usually different from acupuncture. However, the sham procedure is conducted either at the same points that are used for the acupuncture group or at nonindicated points.

Objective

To assess whether the outcome of sham acupuncture varies according to the needling points in sham-controlled trials of acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) as an example.

Data sources

Searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database were conducted on February 12, 2023.

Study selection

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the outcomes of acupuncture in sham acupuncture-con

SUBMITTER: Lee B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10483312 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature