The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comprehensive Review

In 2017, a significant study called The Acupuncture Evidence Project took a close look at acupuncture research. This Comparative Literature Review aimed to understand the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating various conditions.

Introduction

In 2017, a significant study called The Acupuncture Evidence Project took a close look at acupuncture research. This Comparative Literature Review aimed to understand the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating various conditions.

Key Findings

The findings were quite revealing:

• Strong Evidence: Acupuncture showed strong evidence of effectiveness for 8 specific conditions.
• Moderate Evidence: 38 conditions had moderate evidence supporting the use of acupuncture.
• Weak or Unclear Evidence: 71 conditions had weak or unclear evidence.
• Little or No Evidence: 5 conditions showed little or no evidence of acupuncture’s effectiveness.

Conditions with Strong Evidence of Positive Effect

1. Migraine prevention
2. Chronic tension-type and chronic episodic headaches
3. Low back pain
4. Knee osteoarthritis pain
5. Seasonal and perennial/persistent allergic rhinitis
6. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
7. Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
8. Post-operative pain

Conditions with Moderate Evidence Supporting Effectiveness

These include but are not limited to acute low back pain, neck pain, anxiety, depression (with antidepressants), hypertension (with medication), insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, labour pain, menopausal hot flushes, and shoulder pain.

Conditions with Positive or Unclear Evidence

Some of these conditions are acute ankle sprain in adults, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma in children, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, and urinary incontinence.

Safety and Cost-Effectiveness

Acupuncture is considered safe when performed by a well-trained practitioner. It has also been found to be cost-effective for some conditions.

Further Reading

For those interested in learning more, the Acupuncture Evidence Project Summary is available for public education. The complete Acupuncture Evidence Project review provides a more in-depth look at the research.

Conclusion

The Acupuncture Evidence Project sheds light on the potential benefits of acupuncture for a wide range of conditions. While strong evidence supports its effectiveness for some ailments, further research is needed to understand its full potential. The study serves as a valuable resource for both practitioners and those considering acupuncture as a treatment option.