A systematic review by American authors, of 31 separate studies, has found that the majority of trials comparing real with sham acupuncture as a control, suggest true acupuncture is significantly more effective, measured at both early and late follow-up. The combined data showed acupuncture to be superior to medication for headache intensity, frequency, physical function and overall treatment response rate.
(Acupuncture for the Management of Chronic Headache: A Systematic Review. Anesth & Analgesia Journal 2008 Dec).
A very large German study has concluded that acupuncture in addition to routine medical care for patients with primary headache (headaches not caused by any other known medical condition), is associated with significant clinical improvements over routine care alone. Of 15 056 headache patients, 1613 were randomly allocated to receive acupuncture plus their usual medical care, 1569 received only their usual care, and 11 874 who did not wish to be randomised, were also given acupuncture plus usual care.
After three months and fifteen acupuncture treatments, the number of days with headache decreased from 8.4 to 4.7 in the acupuncture group, and 8.1 to 7.5 in the control group. Intensity of pain and quality of life improvements were also more pronounced in the acupuncture group, and treatment success was maintained at six month follow-up.
(Cephalalagia Journal 2 July 2008, Epub ahead of print)
A systematic review of 31 trials looking at treatment of chronic headaches, including migraine and tension headaches, by acupuncture, medication, non-drug treatments and sham acupuncture, concluded that acupuncture was superior to both medication and sham acupuncture, in improving headache intensity, frequency and response rate.
(Acupuncture for the Management of Chronic Headache: A Systematic Review. Anesth Analg 2008)
A randomised controlled trial enrolled 3182 patients with migraine and/or tension headache, to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care, compared with routine care alone. At three months, the number of days with headache had decreased more in the acupuncture group than in the group receiving routine care alone. Furthermore, intensity of pain and quality of life improvements were greater in the acupuncture group.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture plus routine care in patients with headache, was associated with marked clinical improvements compared with routine care alone.
(Acupuncture in Patients with Headache. Cephalalgia Journal 2008)
A randomised controlled trial enrolled 114 patients to compare acupuncture with metoprolol (a beta-blocker) for the prevention of migraine attacks. Both groups experienced a similar fall in the number of days with migraine, but there were fewer side effects with acupuncture.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture might be an effective and safe treatment option for patients unwilling or unable to take medication.
(Effectiveness and Tolerability of Acupuncture Compared with metoprolol in Migraine Prophylaxis. Headache Journal 2006)
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