Review Article

Classic Chinese Acupuncture versus Different Types of Control Groups for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (2000–2018)

Table 2

Overall background for each painful condition.

Painful conditionStudy (n)Patients (total)Patients (median)Age (years)Female (%)Treatment sessionsTreatment length (weeks)Acupoints usedMost common acupoints used

Arm321850 (47.5–86.5)42.5 (38.7–47.5)49.59 (48.795–55.395)8 (8–8)4 (4–4)LI: 4, 5, 10, 11; LU: 5, 9; LV: 3; PC: 4–8; HT: 2, 7, 8; AP; EP: Sanjiao 5; TW: 5LI: 4, 11

Low back146736137 (36.75–283.75)49.8 (47–59.1)59.04 (46.15–62)9 (5.5–12)6 (4–9)UB: 20–34, 40, 50–54, 60, 62; GB: 30, 34; GV: 3–6; SP: 6; KI: 3; AP, EP: Huatuojiaji, Yaotongdian, Shiqizhuixia, and Extra 19UB: 23, 25, 31, 32, 40, 60; GB: 30, 34; GV: 3, 4

Back neck11091093945189Most painful parts

Fibromyalgia543375 (50–114)46 (43.86–47)100 (100–100)9 (8–12)8 (4–9)LI: 4, 11; GB: 20, 34, 41; ST: 36, 44; SP: 6; LV: 3; UB: 10, 18, 20, 40, 62; HT: 7; PC: 6; GV: 14, 20; CV: 6; SI: 3, 4, 15; KI: 27CV: 6; GB: 34; GV: 14, 20; HE: 7; LI: 4, 11; LV: 3; PC: 6; SP: 6; ST: 36

Headache84296102 (54.5–212.75)43.655 (39.375–47.25)82 (79–87.9)13.5 (12–18.75)12 (6–12)GB: 8, 10, 14, 15, 20, 40–42; LI: 4; LV: 3, TE: 3, 5; GV: 16, 20, 24; UB: 2; SJ: 22, 23; EP: Extra 2, TaiyangGB: 14, 20, 41; GV: 20; LI: 4; TE: 5; Taiyang

Pelvis and hip322189 (60.5–94.5)40.9 (36.5–53.45)37.5 (18.75–56.25)6 (6–13)6 (6–8)GB: 29, 30, 34, 43; ST: 44; LI: 4; SP: 6, 9; UB: 33, 34, 54; CV: 1, 4; APCV: 1, 4; SP: 6, 9

Jaw48922.5 (17.5–27.25)36.215 (32.0425–37.83)82.825 (69.575–87.475)3 (1–5.25)4 (3.5–4.5)LI: 4; ST: 6, 7; trigger pointsLI: 4

Knee61596248 (189.25–291)64.15 (63.1–68.8)58.25 (52.055–65.525)12 (12–16)8 (8–12)ST: 6, 34–36, 40, 43; SP: 4–6, 9, 10; UB: 11, 20–23, 39, 40, 57, 58, 60, 62; KI: 3, 10; GB: 30–36, 39, 41; LV: 3, 7–9; LI: 11; GV: 14, 20; EP: XiyanUB: 20, 57, 60; GB: 34, 36, 39; KI: 3, 10; LI: 11; LR: 3, 8; SP: 5, 6, 9, 10; ST: 34–36; Xiyan

Knee and hip171271260.35611512At the physicians’ discretion

Myofascial311439 (27–49.5)45.2 (36.265–67.32)93.75 (93.03–96.875)8 (4.5–8.5)4 (4–4)LI: 4; GB: 20, 21; LV: 3, 20; APLI: 4

Neck74659123 (39.5–326)47.3 (43.8–51.85)69.9 (66.745–72.145)8 (5.5–11)4.5 (3.25–10.25)GB: 8, 14, 20, 21, 34, 39, 41; LI: 4; LV: 3; UB: 2, 10, 17, 60, 64; LU: 7; TW:5; ST: 8, 36, 44; GV: 14, 20; SP: 6, 10; CV: 1–7: SI: 3, 11, 14; TE: 5, 15; AP, EP: Shiqizhui, Huatuojiaji Extra 1GB: 20, 21, 34, 41; GV: 14; LI: 4; LV: 3

Shoulder61206147.5 (50–374.75)53.54 (50.745–55.525)55.155 (47.7925–69.755)8 (5.25–13.75)5 (4.25–5.75)SI: 3, 9, 10, 11; LI: 4, 10, 11, 14–16; TE: 5, 13–15; GV: 14; ST: 36, 38; LU: 1, 2; GB: 21, 34; UB: 58; SJ: 14GB: 21; LI: 4, 11, 14, 15; SI: 3, 9, 10, 11; ST: 36, 38; TE: 5, 14

SI: small intestine; ST: stomach; SP: spleen; KI: kidney; UB: urinary bladder; GB: gallbladder; LI: large intestine; LU: lung; LV: liver; PC: pericardium; HT: heart; CV: conception vessel; GV: governor vessel; AP: ashi acupoints; EP: extra acupoints; TW: triple warmer; TE: triple energizer.