Acupuncture for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Acupuncture has been used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) for 2000 years and there are emerging clinical evidence and animal studies for its efficacy. However, we are unable to conclude the effectiveness and safety on this issue yet.

To assess the effects and safety of acupuncture for T2DM.

We systematically searched 5 databases and 2 clinical registry platforms from inception to 2018-6-4. RCTs for acupuncture or its variants compared with sham acupuncture or no acupuncture controls for T2DM were included. The primary outcomes were glycemic control and adverse events.

A total of 21 studies, which comprised a total of 1943 participants, were included in the final meta-analysis. Compared with sham acupuncture or no acupuncture plus baseline treatments, acupuncture plus baseline treatments yield reduction in FBG(MD 1.21 mmol/l, 95%CI 1.56 to 0.87), 2 h BG(MD 2.13 mmol/l, 95%CI 2.79 to 1.46), HA1c (MD 1.12%, 95%CI 1.62 to 0.62). Our results also show acupuncture can improve blood lipids and blood pressure control, and reduce weight.

As one type of multifactorial intervention, acupuncture could be recommended as a supplementary treatment in the management of T2DM, especially in those with obesity or metabolic disorders. However, due to the small sample size, poor methodological quality of trials reviewed, the amount of evidence is not fully convincing. There is a need for well-planned, long-term studies.

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Number CRD42018094573).