Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain
Recent Insights
Acupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain
Acupuncture combined with physiotherapy or exercise was found to be more effective for frozen shoulder than physiotherapy or exercise alone in the short and long term.
Frozen Shoulder Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain
Acupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture and those who received acupuncture report less pain and disability at short‐term follow‐up than those on a wait‐list.
Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain
A meta-analysis of acupuncture versus steroid block therapy favored acupuncture in terms of responder rate.
Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain
Related Topics
Research Articles
Published research studies are articles that present the findings of original research that has undergone a peer-review process and has been made publicly available in scholarly journals, books or other media.
The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review
2022 Feb 01 Medical Acupuncture Trinh K, Zhou F, Belski N, Deng J, Wong CY
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainAcupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome
2018 Dec 04 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Choi GH, Wieland LS, Lee H, Sim H, Lee MS, Shin BC
We do not have enough good information from current studies to be sure about the effects of acupuncture and related treatments for CTS. We need larger and better‐quality studies to understand any effects of acupuncture and related interventions on symptoms of CTS.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain
Is cupping therapy effective in patients with neck pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis
2018 Jan BMJ Open Kim S, Lee S, Kim M, et al
The study highlighted that cupping was found to reduce neck pain in patients compared with control groups.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain CuppingEffectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of shoulder pain: a systematic review of published randomised clinical trials
2017 Dec 1 Physiotherapy A. Rubio M. Mansfield J. Lewis
Systematic Review Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain Frozen ShoulderAcupuncture combined with physiotherapy or exercise was found to be more effective for frozen shoulder than physiotherapy or exercise alone in the short and long term.
Acupuncture for neck disorders
2016 Oct 17 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Trinh K, Graham N, Irnich D, Cameron ID, Forget M.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainAcupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture and those who received acupuncture report less pain and disability at short‐term follow‐up than those on a wait‐list.
Research Insights
Insights are moderated by the Research Hub team and offer an at-a-glance overview of interesting research findings.
Acupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.
2022 Medical Acupuncture The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review Trinh K, Zhou F, Belski N, Deng J, Wong CY
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In the 10 included RCTs (622 participants), 6 had a low risk of bias. For cryotherapy-induced pain, 1 trial showed significant pain reduction post treatment. For rheumatoid arthritis, 1 trial shown significant pain reduction and function improvements post treatment and short-term. For carpal tunnel syndrome, 1 trial showed significant pain reduction and functional improvements intermediate-term, while 3 trials suggested no significant difference. For tenosynovitis, 1 trial showed significant pain reduction and function improvements short-term. For poststroke impairments, 1 trial showed significant function improvements post treatment and at short-term, while another trial suggested no significant difference. No significant improvements were noted for trapezio-metacarpal joint osteoarthritis. In 2 trials, adverse effects occurred in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome; yet acupuncture appeared to be relatively safe.
Acupuncture combined with physiotherapy or exercise was found to be more effective for frozen shoulder than physiotherapy or exercise alone in the short and long term.
2017 Physiotherapy Effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of shoulder pain: a systematic review of published randomised clinical trials A. Rubio M. Mansfield J. Lewis
Systematic Review Frozen Shoulder
Shoulder pain is a leading musculoskeletal pain complaint, and is responsible for high morbidity with marked impact on quality of life. Acupuncture is a modality commonly employed in the treatment of shoulder conditions; however, past systematic reviews investigating its effectiveness have been inconclusive, noting a paucity of good quality research. A new body of research has since been published, and is included within this review. The objective of this systematic review was therefore to investigate the current evidence base for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of shoulder pain.
Acupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture and those who received acupuncture report less pain and disability at short‐term follow‐up than those on a wait‐list.
2016 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Acupuncture for neck disorders Trinh K, Graham N, Irnich D, Cameron ID, Forget M.
Systematic Review
For mechanical neck pain, we found that acupuncture is beneficial immediately following treatment and at short‐term follow‐up compared with sham treatments for pain intensity; at short‐term follow‐up compared with sham treatments for disability (NPQ); at short‐term follow‐up compared with inactive treatments for pain intensity; and at short‐term follow‐up compared with wait‐list control for pain intensity and neck disability improvement. Effects do not seem sustainable over the long term. Acupuncture treatments appear to be relatively safe.
A meta-analysis of acupuncture versus steroid block therapy favored acupuncture in terms of responder rate.
2010 The Journal of Pain Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Lee, H., Shim, H., Shin, B., et al.
Systematic Review
Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that the evidence for acupuncture as a symptomatic therapy of carpal tunnel syndrome is encouraging but not convincing. The total number of included RCTs and their methodological quality were low. Further rigorous studies are required to establish whether acupuncture has therapeutic value for this indication.
Review Articles
Review articles summarise and critically evaluate the current state of research on a specific topic or field by synthesising multiple primary research studies.
The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review
2022 Feb 01 Medical Acupuncture Trinh K, Zhou F, Belski N, Deng J, Wong CY
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainAcupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome
2018 Dec 04 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Choi GH, Wieland LS, Lee H, Sim H, Lee MS, Shin BC
We do not have enough good information from current studies to be sure about the effects of acupuncture and related treatments for CTS. We need larger and better‐quality studies to understand any effects of acupuncture and related interventions on symptoms of CTS.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainIs cupping therapy effective in patients with neck pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis
2018 Jan BMJ Open Kim S, Lee S, Kim M, et al
The study highlighted that cupping was found to reduce neck pain in patients compared with control groups.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain CuppingEffectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of shoulder pain: a systematic review of published randomised clinical trials
2017 Dec 1 Physiotherapy A. Rubio M. Mansfield J. Lewis
Systematic Review Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Pain Frozen ShoulderAcupuncture combined with physiotherapy or exercise was found to be more effective for frozen shoulder than physiotherapy or exercise alone in the short and long term.
Acupuncture for neck disorders
2016 Oct 17 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Trinh K, Graham N, Irnich D, Cameron ID, Forget M.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainAcupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture and those who received acupuncture report less pain and disability at short‐term follow‐up than those on a wait‐list.
Study Protocols
Published study protocols are detailed plans that outline the objectives, methodology, statistical analyses, and organisation of a research study that have been made publicly available for others to review and use as a reference.
Acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis: A prisma-compliant protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
2020 Sep 11 Medicine Kim, Ha-Na KMDa; Goo, Bonhyuk KMD, PhDb, ∗; Nam, Sang-Soo KMD, et al.
Acupuncture treatments are effective in releasing neurotransmitters to relief tendinopathy. In this study, it is reported to have increase blood flow and collagen proliferation to help regenerate the tendon. Since lateral epicondylitis is a degenerative condition from repetitive damage rather than an inflammatory condition. The effect of acupuncture on recovery from the damaged tendon provides long term alternative and overall improved quality of life for elbow pain patients.
Study Protocol Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainAcupuncture and manual therapy for rotator cuff tears: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis
2020 May 22 Medicine Tang H, Luo F, Fan H, Huang L, Liao S, Yu W, et al.
The research shows that acupuncture can reduce the sensitivity of tissue to pain and improve joint activity. It can reduce pain by enhancing exchange between rotator cuff cartilage fluids and increasing joint mobility. The study protocol will showcase effeciacy of acupuncture to relief pain for rotator cuff injuries.
Study Protocol Neck, Shoulder, Arm & Wrist PainPresentation Slides
Acupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.
Acupuncture combined with physiotherapy or exercise was found to be more effective for frozen shoulder than physiotherapy or exercise alone in the short and long term.
Acupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture and those who received acupuncture report less pain and disability at short‐term follow‐up than those on a wait‐list.
A meta-analysis of acupuncture versus steroid block therapy favored acupuncture in terms of responder rate.
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