Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40270014›Full record

ReviewChinese medicine2025

Acupoint massage: a comprehensive descriptive review of its forms, applications, and underlying mechanisms.

Chongjie Yao, Xinyu Zeng, Shuaipan Zhang, Bin Xiao, Pingping Sun, Lingjun Kong, Jiming Tao, Min Fang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Chinese medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Nonpharmacological dyspnoea-relief strategies in lung cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2026
    Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Chongjie Yao *Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
Xinyu Zeng *School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
Shuaipan ZhangShuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
Bin XiaoShuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
Pingping SunSchool of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
Lingjun KongShuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
Jiming TaoShuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China. taoyecheng@163.com.
Min FangShuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China. fm-tn0510@shutcm.edu.cn.

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2023M732338National Defense Science and Technology Innovation Fund of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 23YF1447600National Natural Science Foundation of China 82030121Shanghai health system key supported discipline 2023ZDFC0301Shanghai Innovative Medical Device Application Demonstration Project 23SHS05400Shanghai Post-doctoral Excellence Program 2022515Shanghai University of TCM Science and Technology Development Project 23KFL009the National Natural Science Foundation of China 82305423
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Acupoint massage is a non-invasive traditional therapy that has demonstrated reliable clinical outcomes in pain management, mental health relief, sleep disorder regulation, gastrointestinal treatment, and as an adjunct therapy for cancer. Its convenience and cost-effectiveness further enhance its appeal. However, the existing English literature lacks a systematic review that encompasses the various forms of acupoint massage. The acupoint massage forms adaptability is particularly notable when considering the diverse conditions, it addresses, as well as its applicability across different age groups and gender differences. Providing a comprehensive understanding, it is crucial to outline common practices and explore specific applications in key areas. The comprehensive understanding can create opportunities for effective collaboration between preclinical and clinical studies. Defining and categorizing different forms of acupoint massage is essential, alongside investigating the neural circuits involved in touch sensation. Future efforts should enhance collaboration with modern biology, facilitating the transition from empirical to evidence-based practice. This review summarizes forms, applications, and mechanisms of mainstream acupoint massage and provides insights for future research and applications, promoting deeper integration into healthcare.

Indexed as

AcupointAcupressureMassageMechanismTuina

Identifiers

PMID40270014
PMCPMC12020265

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.