Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis

Table 2 Characteristics of papers included in the meta-analysis

Study	Country	n	Diagnostic criteria	IBS type	Assessment	Time	Acupuncture	Control treatment
Macpherson et al[19]	United Kingdom	233	Rome criteria	IBS	IBS symptom severity score	12 wk (every 3 wk)	Offer 10 weekly individualized acupuncture sessions plus usual care	Usual care only
Forbes et al[17]	United Kingdom	59	Rome I criteria and Manning criteria	IBS	Global symptom score based on patient diary	13 wk	Individualized 10 sessions over 10 wk	Sham acupuncture at non-acupoints
Sun et al[20]	China	63	Rome III	IBS-D	Symptom score	4 wk	Fixed formula; 20 sessions over 4 wk	Pinaverium bromide (50 mg tid)
Lembo et al[6]	United States	230	Rome II	IBS	IBS adequate relief	3 wk	Flexible formula; 10 sessions over 3 wk	Sham acupuncture at non-acupoints
Lowe et al[22]	Canada	50	Rome	IBS	Symptom relief	4 wk	Fixed formula; 8 sessions over 4 wk	Sham acupuncture - tapping blunt needle on the skin then tapping the needle in place
Anastasi et al[21]	United States	29	Rome II or Rome III	IBS	Clinical global impression scale	4 wk (measured 3 wk)	Flexible formula with moxibustion at all points; 8 sessions over 4 wk	Sham acupuncture - superficial needles 2-3 cm

IBS-D: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea.