A meta-analysis of the results from RCTs of acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has found no benefit of acupuncture on IBS symptom severity or IBS-related quality of life compared to sham acupuncture controls. The American authors based their systematic review and meta-analysis on the results of 17 RCTs (1,806 participants). In comparative effectiveness trials that did not use a placebo control (carried out in China), patients reported greater benefits from acupuncture compared with either pharmacological therapy or no treatment. In addition, no difference was found between acupuncture and Bifidobacterium supplementation or between acupuncture and psychotherapy. The authors suggest that future trials are necessary to help clarify whether or not the reportedly greater benefits of acupuncture relative to pharmacological therapies are due entirely to Chinese patients’ preferences for acupuncture and/or greater expectations of acupuncture compared to drugs.
Categories: Digestive Bowel disorders
