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| First author | Sample size (observation/control) | Dropout rate | Intervention (in observation group) | Intervention (in control group) | Course of treatment | The main outcomes |
|
| Irnich [16] | 50 (25/25) | None | Verum acupuncture: LI 4, LI 10, SJ 5, SI 3, GB 34 | Sham acupuncture; points: one thumb-with away from those used in observation group | 3 treatments within 10 days | Pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain-free grip strength (GS), NRS (same to VAS, assessment on pain on 0–10 scale), all assessments after treatments and 14-day follow-up |
| Fink [17] | 45 (23/22) | 3 at 2-week follow-up and 2 more at 2-month follow-up | Verum acupuncture: LI 10, LI 11, Lu 5, LI 4, SJ 5, one Ah-Shi point | Sham acupuncture; points: 5 cm away from the points used in observation group | 10 treatments for 2 times/week within 5 weeks | Pain reduction percentage, VAS (pain assessed at rest, in motion, during exertion and frequency on 0–5 scale) functional impairment assessed with DASH questionnaire, all assessments after treatments and 2-month follow-up |
| Molsberge [15] | 48 (24/24) | None | Verum acupuncture: GB 34 (on ipsilateral leg) | Sham acupuncture: (stimulation with pencil-like probe to simulate needle insertion) acupuncture point UB 13 | 1 treatment | Clinical efficacy rate, VAS (pain assessed on 0–10 scale) pain relief score |
| Haker [18] | 82 (44/38) | 4 after 10th treatment, another 5 at 3 months | Verum acupuncture: LI 10, LI 11, LI 12, Lu 5, SJ 10 | Sham acupuncture: same acupoints but superficial needle insertion | 10 treatments for all 2-3 times/week | Clinical efficacy rate, the Vigorimeter test assessments after treatments at 3-month and 1-year follow-up |
| Liao [19] | 60 (30/30) | None | Acupuncture therapy: LI10, SJ 5, LI 4, LI 12 (affected side); once a day, 2 weeks | Blocking therapy: local injection of 0.5 ml triamcinolone acetate A injection plus 3 ml lidocaine, once a week, 2 weeks | 10 treatments in observation group; 3 treatments in control group | Clinical efficacy rate |
| Zhang [20] | 60 (30/30) | None | Acupuncture therapy: LI11, LI10, LI13, LI 1, Ah-Shi, I3; once every other day, 2 weeks | Blocking therapy: local injection of 1% lidocaine injection 4 ml and prednisolone 1 ml at tenderness point and LI11; once for ten days, 2 weeks | 10 treatments in observation group; 2 treatments in control group | Clinical efficacy rate, VAS (pain assessed on 0–10 scale), elbow joint activity score (rotation function assessed on 0–8 scale), all assessments after first therapy, after all treatments, and at 1-month follow-up |
| Lin [21] | 72 (36/36) | None | Acupuncture therapy; points: the most tenderness point, three points around the tenderness points, and LI11; once every other day, 2 weeks | Blocking therapy: local injection of 2% procaine injection 1.5 ml and prednisolone suspension 5 ml at tenderness point; once for ten days, 2 weeks | 10 treatments in observation group; 2 treatments in control group | Clinical efficacy rate, VAS (pain assessed on 0–10 scale), both assessments after treatments and 2-month follow-up |
| Yu [14] | 235 (147/88) | None | Acupuncture therapy: LI4, LI7, LI9, LI10 (affected side); once a day, 3 times a week, 3 weeks | Blocking therapy: local injection of 1% lidocaine injection 4 ml and prednisolone 50 mg at tenderness point; once a week, 3 weeks | 9 treatments in observation group; 3 treatments in control group | Clinical efficacy rate |
| Wang [22] | 84 (42/42) | None | Electroacupuncture therapy; cervical Jiaji 5–7 (EX-B2, affected side), SI 11, Ah-Shi points, LI 11, LI 10, SJ 5; once a day, 5 times a week, 2 weeks | Drug therapy group: oral meloxicam tablets 7.5 mg, once a day for 2 weeks | 10 treatments in observation group; 14 treatments in drug group | Clinical efficacy rate, VAS (pain assessed on 0–10 scale), elbow function score scale (function assessed on 0–100 scales) |
| Hua [13] | 60 (30/30) | None | Acupuncture therapy; points: 4 points at 0.5 cm away from the tenderness point at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock; once every other day, 2 weeks | Drug therapy group: oral celecoxib capsules 200 mg and external application of Votalin ointment twice a day, 2 weeks | 7 times in observation group; 28 times in drug group | Clinical efficacy rate, VAS (pain assessed on 0–10 scale), both assessments after treatments and 3-month follow-up |
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