| | Subgroup | Eligible studies | Acupuncture group
(number) | Medication group
(number) | RR/MD (95% CI) | value | Heterogeneity test | Effect model |
| | Effectiveness | | | | | | | | | Drug categories | | | | | | | | | Nimesulide | 3 | 98 | 98 | 1.28 (1.12, 1.45) | 0.0002 | ,
| Fixed | | Ibuprofen + Prednisone | 3 | 145 | 136 | 1.32 (1.17, 1.49) | <0.00001 | ,
| Fixed | | Ibuprofen + Vitamin B1 | 2 | 450 | 450 | 1.15 (1.11, 1.19) | <0.00001 | ,
| Fixed | | Indomethacin | 1 | 87 | 87 | 1.30 (1.11, 1.52) | 0.001 | — | — |
| | Pain intensity | | | | | | | | | Treatment method | | | | | | | | | Oral | 2 | 90 | 90 | −1.44 (−2.65, −0.24) | 0.02 | ,
| Random | | External | 1 | 31 | 30 | −1.19 (−1.67, −0.71) | <0.00001 | — | — | | Drug categories | | | | | | | | | Ibuprofen + Prednisone | 1 | 30 | 30 | −2.10 (−3.15, −1.05) | <0.00001 | — | — | | Ibuprofen | 1 | 60 | 60 | −0.87 (−1.70, −0.04) | 0.04 | — | — | | Diclofenac | 1 | 31 | 30 | −1.19 (−1.67, −0.71) | <0.00001 | — | — |
| | Pain threshold | | | | | | | | | Treatment method | | | | | | | | | Oral | 3 | 100 | 100 | 1.18 (1.06, 1.30) | <0.00001 | ,
| Fixed | | Injection | 2 | 60 | 50 | 0.93 (0.79, 1.07) | <0.00001 | ,
| Fixed | | Drug categories | | | | | | | | | Nimesulide | 3 | 100 | 100 | 1.18 (1.06, 1.30) | <0.00001 | ,
| Fixed | | 654-2 | 2 | 60 | 50 | 0.93 (0.79, 1.07) | <0.00001 | ,
| Fixed |
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