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Acupuncture and chronic pain: a criteria-based meta-analysis.
Department of Epidemiology/Health Care Research, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
A literature search revealed 51 controlled clinical studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture in chronic pain. These studies were reviewed using a list of 18 predefined methodological criteria. A maximum of 100 points for study design could be earned in four main categories: (a) comparability of prognosis, (b) adequate intervention, (c) adequate effect measurement and (d) data presentation. The quality of even the better studies proved to be mediocre. No study earned more than 62% of the maximum score. The results from the better studies (greater than or equal to 50% of the maximum score) are highly contradictory. The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain remains doubtful.
PMID: 2147032 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Cited by 23 PubMed Central articles
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Acupuncture for chronic pain in Japan: a review.
Itoh K, Kitakoji H.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Dec; 4(4):431-8.
[Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007]
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ReviewA hierarchy of effective teaching and learning to acquire competence in evidenced-based medicine.
Khan KS, Coomarasamy A.
BMC Med Educ. 2006 Dec 15; 6:59. Epub 2006 Dec 15.
[BMC Med Educ. 2006]
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Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of non-specific acute low back pain: a randomised controlled multicentre trial protocol [ISRCTN65814467].
Vas J, Perea-Milla E, Mendez C, Silva LC, Herrera Galante A, Aranda Regules JM, Martinez Barquin DM, Aguilar I, Faus V.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Apr 21; 6:14. Epub 2006 Apr 21.
[BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006]
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