Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials

IntroductionTo compare and analyze the clinical effects of acupuncture-related therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and propose the optimal scheme, we utilized a network meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of various commonly used acupuncture methods for PMOP.MethodsRandomi...

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Main Authors: Bing Deng, Tiantian Xu, Zilan Deng, Yue Jiang, Li Li, Wankun Liang, Yuewen Zhang, Hongjin Wang, Yunxiang Xu, Guizhen Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1483819/full
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author Bing Deng
Bing Deng
Tiantian Xu
Zilan Deng
Yue Jiang
Li Li
Wankun Liang
Yuewen Zhang
Hongjin Wang
Yunxiang Xu
Guizhen Chen
author_facet Bing Deng
Bing Deng
Tiantian Xu
Zilan Deng
Yue Jiang
Li Li
Wankun Liang
Yuewen Zhang
Hongjin Wang
Yunxiang Xu
Guizhen Chen
author_sort Bing Deng
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionTo compare and analyze the clinical effects of acupuncture-related therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and propose the optimal scheme, we utilized a network meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of various commonly used acupuncture methods for PMOP.MethodsRandomized controlled trials of acupuncture-related therapies for PMOP were searched in eight databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang database) from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2023. Our primary outcomes included overall clinical effectiveness rate, bone mineral density (BMD), and visual analog scale scores (VAS). The secondary outcome is adverse events. The entire process of literature screening and data analysis was conducted by 2 independent investigators.ResultsA total of 30 studies with 2,342 participants provided data suitable for analysis. We compared six interventions: manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding, moxibustion, acupoint application, and warm acupuncture. The results of the network meta-analysis revealed that, when compared to conventional Western medication (CWM), multiple acupuncture therapies had a greater impact on the overall clinical effectiveness rate. Electroacupuncture combined with CWM demonstrated superior clinical effectiveness and lumbar spine BMD improvement. Moxibustion with CWM ranked highest for femoral neck BMD, while warm acupuncture showed optimal effects on Ward’s triangle and trochanter BMD. Acupoint catgut embedding provided the greatest pain reduction. The most prevalent minor adverse effects included hematoma, discomfort, and scorching.ConclusionThe results suggest that several acupuncture-related therapies, either alone or in conjunction with CWM, outperform CWM alone and may be regarded as an alternative or supplementary therapy to PMOP, though higher-quality trials are needed.
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spelling doaj-art-e29240eb1f9248cfb32d6bb4bb52445a2025-08-20T02:16:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-04-011210.3389/fmed.2025.14838191483819Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trialsBing Deng0Bing Deng1Tiantian Xu2Zilan Deng3Yue Jiang4Li Li5Wankun Liang6Yuewen Zhang7Hongjin Wang8Yunxiang Xu9Guizhen Chen10Shenzhen Bao’an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaShenzhen Bao’an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, ChinaShenzhen Bao’an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaClinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaShenzhen Bao’an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, ChinaIntroductionTo compare and analyze the clinical effects of acupuncture-related therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and propose the optimal scheme, we utilized a network meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of various commonly used acupuncture methods for PMOP.MethodsRandomized controlled trials of acupuncture-related therapies for PMOP were searched in eight databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang database) from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2023. Our primary outcomes included overall clinical effectiveness rate, bone mineral density (BMD), and visual analog scale scores (VAS). The secondary outcome is adverse events. The entire process of literature screening and data analysis was conducted by 2 independent investigators.ResultsA total of 30 studies with 2,342 participants provided data suitable for analysis. We compared six interventions: manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding, moxibustion, acupoint application, and warm acupuncture. The results of the network meta-analysis revealed that, when compared to conventional Western medication (CWM), multiple acupuncture therapies had a greater impact on the overall clinical effectiveness rate. Electroacupuncture combined with CWM demonstrated superior clinical effectiveness and lumbar spine BMD improvement. Moxibustion with CWM ranked highest for femoral neck BMD, while warm acupuncture showed optimal effects on Ward’s triangle and trochanter BMD. Acupoint catgut embedding provided the greatest pain reduction. The most prevalent minor adverse effects included hematoma, discomfort, and scorching.ConclusionThe results suggest that several acupuncture-related therapies, either alone or in conjunction with CWM, outperform CWM alone and may be regarded as an alternative or supplementary therapy to PMOP, though higher-quality trials are needed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1483819/fullpostmenopausal osteoporosisacupuncturethe overall clinical effectiveness ratesystematic reviewnetwork meta-analysis
spellingShingle Bing Deng
Bing Deng
Tiantian Xu
Zilan Deng
Yue Jiang
Li Li
Wankun Liang
Yuewen Zhang
Hongjin Wang
Yunxiang Xu
Guizhen Chen
Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Medicine
postmenopausal osteoporosis
acupuncture
the overall clinical effectiveness rate
systematic review
network meta-analysis
title Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
title_full Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
title_short Efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials
title_sort efficacy of acupuncture related therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis a systematic review and network meta analysis based on randomized controlled trials
topic postmenopausal osteoporosis
acupuncture
the overall clinical effectiveness rate
systematic review
network meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1483819/full
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