Acupuncture plus moxibustion for herpes zoster: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Herpes zoster is an acute inflammatory condition which can have a significant impact on quality of life. Antiviral therapies are effective, but do not meet patients' expectations of symptomatic relief. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been used for herpes zoster; this systematic review evaluated their efficacy and safety. Nine English and Chinese databases were searched from their inceptions to March 2016. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the combination of acupuncture plus moxibustion in adult herpes zoster were included. Outcomes included pain intensity and duration, quality of life and adverse events. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software (version 5.3). Nine studies (945 participants) were included. Studies were of low to moderate methodological quality based on risk of bias assessment. Pain intensity (visual analogue scale) was lower among those who received acupuncture plus moxibustion compared with pharmacotherapy (one study; MD -8.25 mm, 95% CI -12.36 to -4.14). The clinical significance of this result is yet to be established. Some benefits were seen for other pain and cutaneous outcomes, and global improvement in symptoms. Mild adverse events were reported in the intervention groups. Acupuncture plus moxibustion may improve pain and cutaneous outcomes, although current evidence is limited by the number of studies and methodological shortcomings.
China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine & School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.
Meaghan E
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9640-6854
ME
Coyle
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Haiying
H
Liang
China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine & School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.
Kaiyi
K
Wang
China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine & School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.
Anthony Lin
AL
Zhang
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Xinfeng
X
Guo
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Chuanjian
C
Lu
China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine & School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.|Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Charlie C
CC
Xue
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009071:Moxibustion; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
acupuncture; herpes zoster; meta-analysis; moxibustion; review; systematic; varicella