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Related Experiment Videos

Acupuncture: its evidence-base is changing.

E Ernst1, M H Pittler, B Wider

  • 1Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, UK. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
|February 1, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Acupuncture research is active, with the evidence base growing. While clinical evidence suggests acupuncture is effective for some conditions, it is not universally effective.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Systematic Review Methodology

Background:

  • The clinical effectiveness of acupuncture is a subject of ongoing debate.
  • Evaluating the evolution of research supporting acupuncture is crucial for understanding its therapeutic role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the changes in the evidence base for acupuncture between 2000 and 2005.
  • To analyze trends in the quality and direction of evidence supporting acupuncture treatments.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative analysis of two distinct series of systematic reviews.
  • Utilized consistent methodologies and evaluation criteria for both review periods (2000 and 2005).

Main Results:

  • The evidence base expanded for 13 out of 26 compared conditions.

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  • Evidence became more positive (favoring acupuncture) for 7 indications.
  • Evidence shifted negatively for 6 indications.

    • Conclusions:

    • Acupuncture research demonstrates significant activity and development.
    • Emerging clinical evidence indicates that acupuncture's efficacy varies across different medical conditions.
    • Further research is warranted to clarify acupuncture's role in specific therapeutic areas.