Elsevier

The Journal of Pain

Volume 9, Issue 8, August 2008, Pages 667-677
The Journal of Pain

Critical review
Acupuncture for Tension-Type Headache: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2008.03.011Get rights and content
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Abstract

We investigated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of tension-type headache by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from inception through August 2007. No search or language restrictions were applied. Eight randomized, controlled trials met our inclusion criteria. Pooled data from 5 studies were used for the meta-analysis. Our primary outcome was headache days per month. We assessed data from 2 time points: During treatment and at long-term follow-up (20–25 weeks). The weighted mean difference (WMD) between acupuncture and sham groups was used to determine effect size, and a validated scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. During treatment, the acupuncture group averaged 8.95 headache days per month compared with 10.5 in the sham group (WMD, −2.93 [95% CI, −7.49 to 1.64]; 5 trials). At long-term follow-up, the acupuncture group reported an average of 8.21 headache days per month compared with 9.54 in the sham group (WMD, −1.83[95% CI, −3.01 to −0.64]; 4 trials). The most common adverse events reported were bruising, headache exacerbation, and dizziness.

Perspective

This meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture compared with sham for tension-type headache has limited efficacy for the reduction of headache frequency. There exists a lack of standardization of acupuncture point selection and treatment course among randomized, controlled trials. More research is needed to investigate the treatment of specific tension-type headache subtypes.

Key words

Acupuncture therapy
tension-type headache
meta-analysis
review literature

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