OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the evidence from randomized clinical trials about the efficacy and effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of asthma. DATA SOURCES: Relevant articles were identified through Medline, Embase and databases of complementary medicine, checking of references in articles and contacts with researchers. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials of acupuncture in asthma patients. DATA EXTRACTION AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT: Trial characteristics were extracted by two independent observers on standardized forms. Description and adequateness of the investigated acupuncture strategy were assessed by four experienced acupuncturists in a blind fashion. Methodological quality was assessed by two unblinded reviewers using two scales for internal validity. RESULTS: 15 eligible trials (all with a 'dummy acupuncture' control condition and patients blinded, 10 with evaluators blinded, 8 with cross-over) including a total of 307 patients (range 12 to 39) were identified. The trials differed considerably regarding patients, study models, treatment and control interventions, methodological quality, adequateness of acupuncture, and outcome measures precluding quantitative meta-analysis. Study results were highly contradictory. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient data to draw reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for asthma. As acupuncture is frequently applied in this condition there is urgent need for further research, which should focus on pragmatic, clinically relevant questions.
Published by S Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

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