The Applications and Prescriptions of Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment for Musculoskeletal Pain: A Scoping Review...

Motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT) is a new treatment which comprises acupuncture therapy and exercise therapy. Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent and a significant contributor to global disability and disease. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have applied MSAT to the management of musculoskeletal pain. This scoping review systematically collected clinical studies on the use of MSAT in the management of different musculoskeletal pain conditions and identified any adverse events.

Seven databases were searched from their inception through to 2024. RCTs and CCTs on MSAT for pain conditions meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Data were extracted on patients, interventions, details of MSAT, control treatments and outcomes.

This review included 36 clinical studies. These included, 27 (75%) RCTs and 9 (25%) CCTs, treating 2620 patients with 16 different pain-related diseases or symptoms. The most frequently reported conditions were acute lumbar sprain (8, 22.22%), adhesive capsulitis (5, 13.89%). Selection of movement and acupuncture was different in the treatment of different musculoskeletal pain conditions. MSAT was used alone in about one-third of the studies and of the remaining studies it was combined with other treatment. All studies reported relevant outcomes of pain and 9 (25%) adverse events.

MSAT, which seems to be a promising intervention used in the management of diverse musculoskeletal pain conditions, has been gradually studied in China and Korea. However, given the variety of study designs and reported treatment outcomes, conclusions about the evidence for MSAT for specific conditions are not possible at this stage.