Acupuncture for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment option for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Eight databases were searched from their inception to October 2010. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) were considered if they tested acupuncture against any control intervention or no therapy in humans with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The selection of studies, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by 2 reviewers. The methodologic quality of all included RCTs was assessed using the Jadad scale. Studies of stimulation of acupoints other than by needles were excluded. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. They all suggested that acupuncture is effective as a range of control interventions. Their methodologic quality was variable; most were associated with major flaws. Only one RCT had a Jadad score of more than 3. The evidence that acupuncture is effective for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is encouraging but, because of several caveats, not conclusive. Therefore, more rigorous studies seem warranted.