BMJ  2005;331 (13 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7513.0-a

Acupuncture cuts days with tension-type headache

Acupuncture for tension-type headache is more effective than being on a waiting list, but no more effective than minimal acupuncture. In a three armed trial, Melchart and colleagues (p 376) randomised 270 patients to acupuncture, minimal acupuncture (superficial needling at non-acupuncture points), or waiting list control.

Credit: ALIX/PHANIE/REX

People receiving acupuncture had significantly fewer days with a headache than those on the waiting list, but the difference compared with people receiving minimal acupuncture did not reach significance. Acupuncture was well tolerated, and improvements lasted several months after cessation of treatment.

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