title: [Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for glaucoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of acupuncture for glaucoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The search was conducted through database to identify randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for glaucoma until September 2010. The quality assessment, data extraction and Meta-analysis were performed by Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Re views of Interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight articles were included. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture did not decrease intraocular pressure compared with eye drops [SMD = -0.1 66, 95% CI (-1.45, 0.13)]. However, acupuncture increased the effectiveness rate of treatment for glaucoma [OR = 4.45, 95% CI (1.96,10.09)]. Compared with placebo, acupuncture did not decrease intraocular pressure 20 min after acupuncture (P = 0.13) and 24 hours after acupuncture (P = 0.21). Nonetheless, acupuncture increased the effectiveness rate of treatment for glaucoma [OR = 45.00, 95% CI (9.73, 208.08)]. Compared with acupuncture, quantitative acupuncture manipulation increased the effectiveness rates of treatment for glaucoma [OR = 2.23, 95% CI (1.14, 4.36)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture therapy has potential to increase effectiveness rates of treatment for glaucoma. It lacks reliable evidence to prove that acupuncture decreases intraocular pressure. More trials with high quality are needed to estimate adverse effects and cost effectiveness of acupuncture therapy.
authors.affiliation: Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Chun-Hu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Jin-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions