Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Neck Pain: Systematic Review and Meta‑analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of 26 studies involving 3,520 adults to determine whether acupuncture effectively treats neck pain. This meta-analysis examined how acupuncture compared to inactive treatments, manual therapy, and other active treatments. The findings showed that acupuncture provided significant benefits across multiple measures. Patients receiving acupuncture experienced notably greater reductions in pain intensity and pain perception compared to those receiving inactive treatments. The study also found that acupuncture helped reduce functional disability—meaning patients could perform daily activities more easily—and improved overall quality of life. The researchers used a sophisticated statistical method called trial sequential analysis to confirm their findings were reliable and not due to chance. Half of the included studies were considered high quality with low risk of bias. While the researchers noted some limitations, including variation between studies and mostly moderate quality evidence, the results consistently favored acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment option. This is particularly encouraging news for people who haven't found adequate relief from conventional neck pain treatments. The analysis suggests acupuncture can be considered a viable treatment approach for managing neck pain, with safety profiles that make it suitable for most patients. If you're considering acupuncture for neck pain, seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with appropriate credentials and experience in treating musculoskeletal conditions.

This systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis (TSA) evaluated 26 RCTs comprising 3,520 participants comparing acupuncture to inert treatments, manual therapy, or active interventions for adult neck pain. Thirteen trials (50%) demonstrated low risk of bias. Acupuncture showed statistically significant superiority over inert treatment in pain intensity (MD -1.26, 95% CI -1.77 to -0.75, P<0.001), pain perception (MD -3.46, 95% CI -5.71 to -1.21, P=0.003), and functional disability (MD -6.52, 95% CI -9.8 to -3.2, P<0.001). TSA confirmed these findings with cumulative Z-curves intersecting TSA cut-offs favoring acupuncture and total sample sizes exceeding required information size (RIS). Quality of life measures also improved significantly. Despite very low to moderate evidence quality and high heterogeneity, TSA validation supports acupuncture as an efficacious and safe treatment option for neck pain, particularly for patients with inadequate response to conventional therapies.