title: Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Treating Sciatica: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
abstract: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis, which aimed to assess the current evidence on the effects and safety of acupuncture for treating sciatica. In this review, a total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included. As a result, we found that the use of acupuncture may be more effective than drugs and may enhance the effect of drugs for patients with sciatica, but because of the insufficient number of relevant and rigorous studies, the evidence is limited. Future trials using rigorous methodology, appropriate comparisons, and clinically relevant outcomes should be conducted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China ; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Zongshi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China ; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Jiani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China ; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Yanbing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Zhishun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu