title: Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review.
abstract: Objective. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis (LE). Methods. Seven databases and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal were searched to identify relevant studies. The data were extracted and assessed by two independent authors, and Review Manager Software (V.5.3) was used for data synthesis with effect estimate presented as standard mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the level of evidence. Results. Four RCTs with 309 participants were included with poor methodological quality. Participants who received acupuncture and acupuncture plus moxibustion with material insulation were likely to have an improvement in elbow functional status and/or myodynamia. The overall quality rated by GRADE was from very low to low. Two studies reported that the needle pain would be the main reason for the dropout. Conclusion. For the small number of included studies with poor methodological quality, no firm conclusion can be drawn regarding the effect of acupuncture of elbow functional status and myodynamia for LE. This trial is registered with CRD42015016199.
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Hongzhi
authors: H
authors: Tang
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Huaying
authors: H
authors: Fan
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Jiao
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Mingxiao
authors: M
authors: Yang
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Xuebing
authors: X
authors: Yi
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Guogang
authors: G
authors: Dai
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Junrong
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Liugang
authors: L
authors: Tang
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Haibo
authors: H
authors: Rong
authors: Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Junhua
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Fanrong
authors: F
authors: Liang