Acupuncture at Tiaokou (ST38) for Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: What Strengths Does It Have? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Yang C, Lv TT, Yu TY, Wong S, Lu MQ, Li YZ · Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2018 April 22

DOI 10.1155/2018/4197659

Objective

To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture at Tiaokou (ST38) for treating shoulder adhesive capsulitis.

Conclusions

This review suggests that acupuncture at Tiaokou/ST38 (as sole treatment or in combination with shoulder acupoints) achieved statistically significant effects in improving the overall symptoms and the percentage of clinical effectiveness. Nonetheless, despite stringent methodological analyses, these results need to be strengthened by additional RCTs of higher quality.

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Insights

Compared with other therapies, acupuncture at ST38 appeared to reach a better therapeutic effectiveness in improving the recovery of shoulder joint mobility.

The results of our meta-analysis revealed significant differences in acupuncture at Tiaokou (as sole treatment or in combination with shoulder acupoints) versus other therapies (acupuncture at shoulder acupoints, tuina, exercise of the affected shoulder, and oral NSAIDs) for the relief of shoulder pain. What is more, compared with other therapies, acupuncture at Tiaokou appeared to reach a better therapeutic effectiveness in improving the recovery of shoulder joint mobility.