|
| Trials | Interventions | Estimate effects | value | |
|
| (1) Changes of VAS scores for pain |
| (1.1) Therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| (1.1.1) Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture |
| Assefi et al. 1989 [14] | Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture on false acupoints | 0.23 −0.23, 0.68 | | |
| Harris et al. 2005 [19] | Acupuncture on traditional site versus acupuncture on nontraditional site | 0.28 −0.33, 0.89 | | |
| Harris et al. 2005 [19] | Acupuncture on traditional site with stimulation versus acupuncture on nontraditional site with stimulation | −0.30 −0.98, 0.38 | | |
| Harris et al. 2009 [20] | Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture without penetration on nontraditional site | −0.14 −1.02, 0.74 | | |
| Lautenschlager et al. 1989 [22] | Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture with disconnected laser equipment | −0.55 −1.21, 0.11 | | |
| Subtotal (random model) | SMD 0.04 −0.37, 0.28 | 0.79 | 24% |
| (1.1.2) Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture |
| Lautenschlager 1989 [22] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture on false acupoints | −0.30 −0.84, 0.23 | | |
| Martin et al. 2006 [25] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture without insertion | −0.12 −0.68, 0.44 | | |
| Subtotal (random model) | SMD −0.22 −0.60, 0.17 | 0.27 | 0% |
| Overall (random model) | SMD −0.09 −0.32, 0.14 | 0.44 | 2% |
|
| (2) VAS scores for pain after treatment |
| (2.1) Therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| (2.1.1) Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture |
| (2.1.1.1) Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture |
| Assefi et al. 1989 [14] | Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture on false acupoints | 0.24 −0.37, 0.84 | | |
| Harris et al. 2005 [19] | Acupuncture on traditional site versus acupuncture on nontraditional site | 0.31 −0.30, 0.92 | | |
| Harris et al. 2005 [19] | Acupuncture on traditional site with stimulation versus acupuncture on nontraditional site with stimulation | −0.46 −1.15, 0.22 | | |
| Harris et al. 2009 [20] | Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture without penetration on nontraditional site | −0.65 −1.55, 0.26 | | |
| Subgroup (random model) | SMD 0.07 −0.53, 0.38 | 0.75 | 43% |
| (2.1.1.2) Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture |
| Lautenschlager et al. 1989 [22] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture on false acupoints | −0.56 −1.10, −0.02 | | |
| Martin et al. 2006 [25] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture without insertion | −0.28 −0.84, 0.28 | | |
| Sprott 1998 [27] | Electroacupuncture plus basic therapy versus sham electroacupuncture with nonpuncture treatment plus basic therapy | −0.38 −1.27, 0.50 | | |
| Subgroup (random model) | SMD −0.42 −0.77, −0.06 | 0.02 | 0% |
| Overall (random model) | SMD −0.22 −0.51, 0.07 | 0.13 | 26% |
| (2.1.2) Acupuncture versus medications |
| (2.1.2.1) Acupuncture versus anti-depression drugs |
| Gong and Wang 2010 [17] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −0.98 −1.52, −0.44 | | |
| Hadianfard and Parizi 2012 [18] | Acupuncture versus fluoxetine | −0.40 −1.12, 0.33 | | |
| Liu 2012 [24] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −0.66 −1.16, 0.16 | | |
| Yao 2006 [29] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −0.20 −0.82, 0.43] | | |
| Subtotal (random model) | SMD −0.60 [−0.93, −0.27 | 0.0004 | 22% |
| (2.1.2.2) acupuncture versus analgesic-antipyretic |
| Liu and Li 2002 [23] | Acupuncture versus ibuprofen | −1.34 −1.90, −0.77 | <0.00001 | NA |
| Overall (random model) | SMD −0.74 −1.13, −0.35 | 0.0002 | 55% |
| (2.2) Therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy |
| (2.2.1) Combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy plus medications versus medications alone |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and seroxat versus seroxat alone | −1.63 −2.18, −1.08 | | |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and amitriptyline versus amitriptyline | −1.77 −2.74, −0.80 | | |
| Overall (fixed model) | SMD −1.65 −2.10, −1.31 | <0.00001 | 0% |
| (2.2.2) Combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy versus medications |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and amitriptyline versus amitriptyline | SMD −0.21 −0.57, 0.15 | 0.25 | NA |
| (2.3) therapeutic effect of moxibustion |
| Ruan 2010 [26] | Moxibustion versus amitriptyline | SMD −1.46 −2.00, −0.91 | <0.00001 | NA |
| (2.4) Therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and point injection |
| Liu 2012 [24] | Acupuncture combined with point injection (Vit B12) versus amitriptyline | SMD −1.53 −2.09, −1.96 | <0.00001 | NA |
|
| (3) No. of tender points after treatment |
| (3.1) Therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| (3.1.1) Acupuncture versus medications |
| (3.1.1.1) Acupuncture versus anti-depression drugs |
| Liu 2012 [24] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −1.50 −3.46, 0.46 | | |
| Yao 2006 [29] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −1.70 −4.22, 0.82 | | |
| Subtotal (fixed model) | MD −1.58 −3.12, −0.03 | 0.05 | 0% |
| (3.1.1.2) acupuncture versus analgesic-antipyretic |
| Liu and Li 2002 [23] | Acupuncture versus ibuprofen | MD −3.00 −4.35, −1.65 | <0.0001 | NA |
| Overall (fixed model) | MD −2.38 −3.40, −1.37 | <0.00001 | 0% |
| (3.2) Therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy |
| (3.2.1) Combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy versus western medications |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and amitriptyline versus amitriptyline | MD −0.84 −1.72, 0.04 | 0.06 | NA |
| (3.2.2) combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy plus western medications versus medications alone |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and seroxat versus seroxat alone | −3.90 −6.29, −1.51 | | |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and amitriptyline versus amitriptyline | -4.70 −5.67, −3.73 | | |
| Overall (fixed model) | MD −4.59 −5.49, −3.69 | <0.00001 | 0% |
| (3.3) Therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and point injection |
| Liu 2012 [24] | Acupuncture combined with point injection (Vit B12) versus amitriptyline | MD −1.50 −3.46, 0.46 | 0.13 | NA |
|
| (4) Assessment for depression after treatments |
| (4.1) Therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| (4.1.1) Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture (FIQ) |
| Martin et al. 2006 [25] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture without insertion | SMD −0.33 −0.90, 0.23 | 0.25 | NA |
| (4.1.2) acupuncture versus anti-depression drugs |
| Gong and Wang 2010 [17] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline (HAMD) | −0.78 −1.30, −0.25 | | |
| Hadianfard and Parizi 2012 [18] | Acupuncture versus fluoxetine (FIQ) | −0.48 −1.20, 0.25 | | |
| Overall (fixed model) | SMD −0.67 −1.10, −0.25 | 0.02 | 0% |
| (4.2) Therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy (HAMD) |
| (4.2.1) Combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy versus western medications |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and amitriptyline versus amitriptyline | MD 0.90 −0.68, 2.48 | 0.26 | NA |
| (4.2.2) combination of acupuncture and cupping therapy plus medications versus medications alone |
| Cao and Li 2003 [15] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and seroxat versus seroxat alone | MD −6.00 −8.36, −3.64 | <0.00001 | NA |
| Jiang et al. 2010 [21] | Acupuncture plus cupping therapy and amitriptyline versus amitriptyline | MD −1.78 −2.97, −0.59 | 0.003 | NA |
|
| (5) Assessment for sleep quality after treatments |
| (5.1) therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| Gong and Wang 2010 [17] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −0.34 −0.85, 0.17 | | |
| Liu 2012 [24] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −0.11 −0.74, 0.52 | | |
| Yao 2006 [29] | Acupuncture versus amitriptyline | −0.43 −0.93, 0.07 | | |
| Overall (fixed model) | SMD −0.32 −0.63, −0.01 | 0.04 | 0% |
| (5.2) Therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and point injection |
| Liu 2012 [24] | Acupuncture combined with point injection (Vit B12) versus amitriptyline | SMD −0.94 −1.46, −0.42 | 0.0004 | NA |
|
| (6) FQI after treatments |
| (6.1) Therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| (6.1.1) Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture |
| Martin et al. 2006 [25] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture without insertion | MD −4.30 −11.08, 2.48 | 0.21 | NA |
| (6.1.2) Acupuncture versus antidepression drugs |
| Hadianfard and Parizi 2012 [18] | Acupuncture versus fluoxetine | MD −4.60 −12.42, 3.22 | 0.25 | NA |
|
| (7) Assessment for fatigue after treatments |
| (7.1) Therapeutic effect of acupuncture |
| (7.1.1) Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture |
| (7.1.1.1) Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture |
| Martin et al. 2006 [25] | Electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture without insertion | SMD −0.23 −0.79, 0.33 | 0.42 | NA |
| (7.1.1.2) acupuncture versus sham acupuncture |
| Harris et al. 2005 [19] | Acupuncture on traditional site versus acupuncture on nontraditional site | 0.11−0.50, 0.71 | | |
| Harris et al. 2005 [19] | Acupuncture on traditional site with stimulation versus acupuncture on nontraditional site with stimulation | 0.01 −0.67, 0.68 | | |
| Subtotal (fixed model) | SMD 0.06 −0.39, 0.51 | 0.79 | 0% |
| Overall (fixed model) | SMD −0.05 −0.41, 0.30 | 0.77 | 0% |
| (7.1.2) Acupuncture versus antidepression drugs |
| Hadianfard and Parizi 2012 [18] | Acupuncture versus fluoxetine | SMD -0.27 −0.99, 0.45 | 0.46 | NA |
|
