Is Acupuncture Safe and Effective Treatment for Migraine? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Migraine is a debilitating condition that places a substantial economic burden on society and seriously affects patients' quality of life. Currently, there is no known "cure" for migraines, and pharmacologic treatments or prophylaxis carry many unwanted effects. Acupuncture has been accepted as an alternative treatment. However, its effectiveness is still debated. This is a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) that investigate acupuncture safety and efficacy in migraine versus various control groups. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Cochrane library using keywords: migraines, migraine with aura, migraine without aura, headache, acupuncture, and needling therapy. Two independent reviewers participated in data extraction and assessment. Fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 2,056 participants that met the inclusion criteria were obtained and analyzed. Based on the findings, seven out of 10 trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture showed a more significant reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks and headache intensity. Four studies revealed acupuncture is just as effective and has fewer side effects than any western medicine. Acupuncture can be recommended as an alternative or adjunct to drug treatment for patients suffering migraines. However, further clinical trials that utilized the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) recommendation are still needed to strongly present an evidence-based strategy.

Management of auricular transcutaneous neuromodulation and electro-acupuncture of the vagus nerve for chronic migraine: a systematic review

“…Even the latest publications on acupuncture alone for treating migraine have shown the same results as the current review, thus demonstrating that follow-up for this pathology must be applied effectively to determine the presence of a positive or long-term effect (Naguit et al, 2022). Another finding was the small number of studies of high relevance included in the final screening.…”

Bibliometric analysis of acupuncture for headache from 1974 to 2022: A scoping literature review based on international database

“…[40] Naguit Noreen study found that acupuncture could be used as an alternative or adjunctive therapy for the treatment of episodic headache. [41] Beier Dagmar study provided an updated guide to some of the most widely used non-pharmacological treatments for migraine. [42] Guidelines suggest that physical activity may have a positive effect on quality of life, with acupuncture having a positive impact on headache frequency, intensity, quality of life, and aggressive drug use.…”

The Quality of Acupuncture Recommendations for Migraine in Global Headache Guidelines: A Systematic Review Using the AGREE II and AGREE-REX Instruments

“…An increasing collection of credible research shows that acupuncture can greatly reduce the symptoms of migraines. [22][23][24] , and many headache clinical practice standards include recommendations for the treatment of migraine with or without acupuncture, although the quality of these suggestions varies. This study analyzed the recommendations for acupuncture in global headache guidelines and identi ed many issues to clarify the current status of acupuncture recommendations for migraine in global headache guidelines and to develop standardized recommendations for acupuncture for migraine in future international guidelines.…”

“…A rising number of high-quality clinical studies [22][23][24] have recently provided evidence that acupuncture is actually an effective therapy for migraines, supporting the thousands of years of usage of the practice in China. Despite the fact that various regulations mention acupuncture suggestions, the quality of those recommendations varies, and there are no internationally acknowledged regulations governing acupuncture treatment regimens.…”