Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

26 questions · 30 findings · 4 reviews

No studies found 15 · 50%GRADE not reported 1 · 3.3%Very low 3 · 10%Low 9 · 30%Moderate 2 · 6.7%High 0 · 0%

Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome

Acupuncture may leads to higher unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) compared with placebo (sham acupuncture) (low certainty).

2 findings from 1 review

Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
12 months (1 year follow-up)
MD 0.06 [0.01, 0.11]
2 studies · 54 participants
Low
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
End of treatment (4-6 weeks)
MD 0.02 [0, 0.04]
3 studies · 71 participants
Low

Stimulated whole saliva (SWS) · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome

Acupuncture may leads to higher stimulated whole saliva (SWS) compared with placebo (sham acupuncture) (low certainty).

2 findings from 1 review

Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
12 months (1 year follow-up)
MD 0.28 [0.09, 0.47]
2 studies · 54 participants
Low
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
End of treatment (4-6 weeks)
MD 0.19 [0.07, 0.31]
3 studies · 71 participants
Low

Quality of life · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Dry mouth (xerostomia) · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome

Acupuncture showed no clear difference in dry mouth (mouth dryness, different scales) compared with placebo (sham acupuncture) (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
End of treatment (4-6 weeks)
SMD -0.34 [-0.81, 0.14]
2 studies · 70 participants
Low

Patient satisfaction with treatment · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Adverse events · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome

1 finding from 1 review

Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
Acupuncture was associated with more adverse effects (tiny bruises and tiredness, mild and temporary); List 1998 noted significant eye discomfort; Pfister 2010 reported temporary increases in pain, minor bruising or…
4 studies
GRADE not reported