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Can Ashi points stimulation have specific effects on shoulder pain? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

  • Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
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Abstract

Objective

To provide an evidence-based overview regarding the efficacy of Ashi points stimulation for the treatment of shoulder pain.

Methods

A comprehensive search [PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP) and Wanfang Database] was conducted to identify randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of Ashi points stimulation for shoulder pain compared with conventional treatment. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.0 was used for data synthesis.

Results

Nine trials were included. Seven studies assessed the effectiveness of Ashi points stimulation on response rate compared with conventional acupuncture. Their results suggested significant effect in favour of Ashi points stimulation [odds ratio (OR): 5.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.97 to 11.67, P<0.01, heterogeneity: χ2 =3.81, P=0.70, I 2 =0% ]. One trial compared Ashi points stimulation with drug therapy. The result showed there was a significantly greater recovery rate in group of Ashi points stimulation (OR: 9.58, 95% CI: 2.69 to 34.12). One trial compared comprehensive treatment on the myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) with no treatment and the result was in favor of MTrPs.

Conclusions

Ashi points stimulation might be superior to conventional acupuncture, drug therapy and no treatment for shoulder pain. However, due to the low methodological quality of included studies, a firm conclusion could not be reached until further studies of high quality are available.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China

    Kang-feng Wang  (王康锋)

  2. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China

    Li-juan Zhang  (张立娟)

  3. National Clinical Research Base of Hypertension, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China

    Feng Lu  (陆 峰) & Chuan-hua Yang  (杨传华)

  4. Scientific Research Section, Shandong Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China

    Yong-hui Lu  (陆永辉)

Authors
  1. Kang-feng Wang  (王康锋)
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  2. Li-juan Zhang  (张立娟)
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  3. Feng Lu  (陆 峰)
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  4. Yong-hui Lu  (陆永辉)
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  5. Chuan-hua Yang  (杨传华)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chuan-hua Yang  (杨传华).

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81303028)

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Wang, Kf., Zhang, Lj., Lu, F. et al. Can Ashi points stimulation have specific effects on shoulder pain? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 22, 467–472 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2107-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2107-4

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