Acupuncture for neurological disorders in the Cochrane reviews Characteristics of included reviews and studies

OBJECTIVE:To summarize Cochrane reviews of acupuncture for neurological disorders,and characteristics of included reviews and studies.DATA SOURCES:A computer-based online search of the Cochrane Library (Issue 7 of 12,July 2010) was performed with the key word "acupuncture" and systematic evaluations for acupuncture for neurological disorders were screened.STUDY SELECTION:Systematic reviews on acupuncture in the treatment of neurological disorders were included,and the characteristics of these reviews were analyzed based on methods recommended by the Cochrane collaboration.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Basic characteristics,methodological quality,main reasons for excluding trials,results and conclusions of Cochrane reviews were assessed.RESULTS:A total of 18 Cochrane systematic reviews were included,including 13 completed reviews and five research protocols.The 13 completed reviews involved 111 randomized controlled trials,including 43 trials (38.7%) conducted in China,47 trials (42.3%) using sham-acupuncture or placebo as control,15 trials (13.5%) with relatively high quality,91 trials (81.9%) reporting data on follow-up.Primary outcomes used in the Cochrane reviews were reported by 65 trials (58.6%),and adverse events were reported in 11 trials (9.9%).Two hundred and eighty three trials were excluded.Two reviews on headache suggested that acupuncture is a valuable non-drug treatment for patients with chronic or recurrent headache,and has better curative effects on migraine compared with preventative drug treatment.CONCLUSION:Of the Cochrane reviews on acupuncture in the treatment of neurological disorders,two reviews evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture in treating headaches drew positive conculsions,while other reviews did not obtain positive conclusions due to a small sample size or low methodological quality.The methodological quality of acupuncture trials needs further improvement.