Clinical efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief from renal colic: A meta-analysis and trial sequence analysis
Hsiao-Tien Chen, Cheng-Feng Kuo, Chin-Chia Hsu, Li-Chun Lai, Ai-Chin Cheng, Cheuk-Kwan Sun and Kuo-Chuan Hung · Frontiers in Medicine · 2023 January 9
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1100014
Objective
This meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficacy of acupuncture for relieving renal colic and reducing the risk of analgesic-related complications.
Conclusions
Compared with conventional analgesic-based interventions, acupuncture can more efficiently relieve renal colic with fewer adverse effects. The limited number and quality of included studies warrant more clinical RCTs to support our findings.
Critical Appraisal
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Insights
Acupuncture provides speedy and effective pain relief for renal colic, surpassing traditional drugs with fewer side effects suggesting its potential as a safe and efficient option for acute pain treatment
Acupuncture proves effective for relieving pain in renal colic, demonstrating rapid onset of analgesic action and lower pain scores at 30-60 minutes compared to conventional treatments. The mechanism of action remains unclear but appears to involve nervous system modulation, endocrine regulation, and muscle relaxation. Compared to NSAIDs and opioids, acupuncture offers a safer, less risk option with potential for effective pain relief.
