ISSN: 2155-9554
Ma Xueting*, Zhou Yu, Ma Fuchang, Cui Guimin, Guo Hong
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture points embedding in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris.
Methods: Randomized controlled trials on acupuncture points embedding for Acne Vulgaris were searched in English and Chinese, including China Knowledge Network, Wanfang database, Vipsop database, Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, from the time of database construction to October 2022. 2 researchers independently read and screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the literature for risk of bias. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis.
Results: Twelve randomized controlled trial studies involving 1456 patients were finally shown. Meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture points embedding alone or in combination with acupuncture points embedding improved the overall clinical efficiency (RR=3.81, 95%,2.70 to5.36, P<0.00001); reduced the recurrence rate (RR=0.28, 95%CI, 0.17 to 0.48, P<0.00001) ; significantly improved skin lesion score (MD=-2.91, 95%CI, -5.14 to -0.69, P=0.01]; reduced incidence of adverse effects (RR=0.32, 95%CI,0.22 to 0.47), P<0.00001) and in terms of hormone levels, when comparing the changes in hormone levels (serum testosterone and estradiol) before and after treatment between the two groups, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone levels (MD=-0.11, 95%CI, -0.55 to -0.33), P=0.62) and estradiol levels (MD=4.56, 95%CI,59.12 to 68.23 , P=0.89).
Conclusion: Acupuncture point embedding or combined acupuncture point embedding treatment for acne vulgaris can significantly improve the clinical efficacy, improve the lesion score and reduce the recurrence rate and the incidence of adverse reactions compared with conventional treatment with western medicine.