What do systematic reviews say?

Acupuncture vs sham

• Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes 2013 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  6 studies · 297 participants
  Very low

Acupuncture vs sham

• Acupuncture for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  4 studies · 281 participants
  Moderate

Acupuncture vs sham

• Acupuncture for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome 2012 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  3 studies · 253 participants
  Moderate

Low‐frequency electroacupuncture vs physical exercise or no intervention

It is very uncertain whether low‐frequency electroacupuncture changes restored regular menstrual period – low‐frequency electroacupuncture… compared with physical exercise or no intervention (very low certainty).

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  MD 0.22
  1 study · 40 participants
  Very low
• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  MD 0.37
  1 study · 31 participants
  Very low

Acupuncture vs sham

True acupuncture showed no clear difference in live birth rate compared with sham acupuncture (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.97 [0.76, 1.24]
  1 study · 926 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs sham

True acupuncture showed no clear difference in multiple pregnancy rate compared with sham acupuncture (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.89 [0.33, 2.45]
  1 study · 926 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs sham

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 1010 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs sham

True acupuncture showed no clear difference in clinical pregnancy rate compared with sham acupuncture (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.03 [0.82, 1.29]
  3 studies · 1117 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs sham

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 141 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs sham

True acupuncture showed no clear difference in miscarriage rate compared with sham acupuncture (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.1 [0.77, 1.56]
  1 study · 926 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs sham

True acupuncture probably leads to higher adverse events compared with sham acupuncture (moderate certainty).

• Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.16 [1.02, 1.31]
  3 studies · 1230 participants
  Moderate

Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture

Laser acupuncture may leads to higher overall clinical improvement at short‐term compared with placebo/sham laser acupuncture (low certainty).

• Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.59 [1.14, 2.22]
  1 study · 60 participants
  Low
• Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 60 participants
  Low

Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture

• Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Moderate

Acupuncture vs no treatment

• Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 24 participants
  Very low

Acupuncture vs medication

Acupuncture may leads to higher overactive bladder symptoms cured or improved compared with medication (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.25 [1.1, 1.43]
  5 studies · 258 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs medication

• Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  14 studies · 927 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs medication

Acupuncture may leads to lower number of minor adverse events compared with medication (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.34 [0.26, 0.45]
  8 studies · 1004 participants
  Low

Acupuncture vs medication

It is very uncertain whether acupuncture changes presence or absence of urinary urgency compared with medication (very low certainty).

• Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  MD 0.4
  2 studies · 80 participants
  Very low

Acupuncture vs medication

Acupuncture showed no clear difference in daytime urinary frequency compared with medication (low certainty).

• Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  MD 0.73
  4 studies · 360 participants
  Low