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http://dx.doi.org/10.22246/jikm.2017.38.4.419

A Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Essential Tremors  

Sohn, Yu-jin (Dept. of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woo-Suk University)
Jung, Seo-yoon (Dept. of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woo-Suk University)
Kang, Ki-wan (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woo-Suk University)
Jeong, Min-jeong (Dept. of Pediatrics, College of Korean Medicine, Woo-Suk University)
Jang, In-soo (Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woo-Suk University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine / v.38, no.4, 2017 , pp. 419-432 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: This study provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of essential tremors (ETs) using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Nine databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, OASIS, NDSL, CNKI, Wanfang, J-STAGE, and CiNii) and the keywords "Essential tremor", "Benign tremor", "Familial tremor", and "Acupuncture" were used to compile RCTs that used acupuncture to treat ETs. Studies that were not RCTs, such as case studies, reviews, and essays, were excluded. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Results: Initially, 819 studies were found, but 773 were excluded after title and abstract screening. After further screening of the resulting 46 papers, eight RCTs were selected that had been published between 2003 and 2016, and the total effective rate (TER) was used as the primary evaluation method for all eight studies. It was found that the TER was significantly higher in treatment groups (83.33-96.7%) than in control groups (56.5-80.0%), and seven studies included in the meta-analysis showed positive results for acupuncture for ETs (Risk Ratio: 1.43, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.21-1.69, P<0.0001) Confidence Interval. Conclusions: This meta-analysis of clinical trials suggests that acupuncture is effective for treating ET patients; however, further studies are needed or larger populations to prove its effectiveness.
Keywords
essential tremor; acupuncture; Korean medicine; meta-analysis; systematic review;
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