Efficacy and safety of thread-embedding acupuncture for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sung WS, Goo BH, Kim EJ, Nam DW, Kim TH, Park YC, Baek YH, Seo BK · European Journal of Integrative Medicine · 2020 October
DOI 10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101195
Objective
To assess the efficacy and safety of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) for the treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD) through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Conclusions
Both single and combined TEA treatments demonstrated significant improvements in visual analogue scale (VAS) and curative rates compared to various conventional therapies, including acupuncture, integrative treatments, herbal medicine, chuna, traction, and injections, without reports of serious adverse events. However, the conclusion is limited by the poor quality of the identified articles, emphasizing the need for more rigorously designed studies.
Critical Appraisal
Published research can offer valuable insights, but a paper’s conclusions may go beyond what its results support. Critical appraisal examines the methods, findings and limitations to clarify what can reasonably be concluded—and what remains uncertain.
This article has not yet been critically appraised by the Research Hub.
Learn more about Critical Appraisal
