Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine — Hou Z, et al. | May 10, 2017
The objective of the study described in this paper is to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of cervical vertigo (CV). In view of the systematic review, acupuncture appeared to be a promising therapeutic approach for CV based on the low or very low quality of evidence. In any case, large–scale and high–quality trials are required to give stronger proof for the conclusion.
Methods
- For this study, they designed a Systematic Review and Meta–Analysis.
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with respect to the efficacy of acupuncture for treating CV were searched in 7 comprehensive databases prior to April 2016.
- The information examination was performed by utilizing RevMan version 5.3.
Results
- A sum of 10 studies with 914 participants were enrolled in this study.
- The outcomes demonstrated that acupuncture was more successful than conventional medicine therapy (CMT) in efficacy, improvement rate of vertigo and headache, and increased average blood flow velocity of the vertebral–basilar artery.
- In the subgroup examination, the outcomes did not change in different acupuncture methods and drug categories substantially.
- Sensitivity examination showed that the outcomes of this meta–analysis were stable.
- Meanwhile, the long–term safety of acupuncture for CV still remains uncertain.
- GRADE examination showed that the quality of proof for all outcomes was from very low to low which limited the value of the meta–analysis.
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