Acupuncture in Headache: A Critical Review

Abstract

Twenty-seven clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of primary headaches (migraine headache, tension-type headache, and mixed forms) were reviewed. In the majority of the trials (23 of the 27 trials), it was concluded that acupuncture offers benefits in the treatment of headaches. Conversely, the evaluation of physical forms of treatment, including acupuncture, has special difficulties, and certain parameters in the study design need consideration. Acupuncture methods need individualization, a carefully selected placebo ("minimal acupuncture" seems to be best), and the crossover design must have adequate time between the two treatment periods. Clinical trials that evaluate acupuncture frequently are characterized by several inadequacies (including some from these evaluating headaches), but it seems that additional clinical research is necessary to confirm its efficacy and to clarify its indications.