SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2026
Effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic sciatica from herniated disks: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Introduction: Chronic sciatica, frequently attributable to lumbar disc herniation, imposes substantial burdens on patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. Conventional interventions, including pharmacotherapy and physical therapy, are widely employed yet constrained by limited efficacy, necessitating the exploration of complementary modalities such as acupuncture. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published over the past decade (2015.05 - 2025.05) to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating leg pain intensity and improving functional mobility outcomes among patients with chronic sciatica. Methods: We searched four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) for RCTs on acupuncture versus control (sham acupuncture, standard care, or conventional acupuncture). Studies included adults with sciatica from herniated disks, assessed via VAS for pain and ODI for function. Data were pooled using random-effects models with subgroup analyses for heterogeneity. Bias risk was assessed with the Cochrane tool. Results: Eleven RCTs ( Discussion: Acupuncture effectively alleviates pain and aids functional recovery in chronic sciatica, highlighting its role in multidisciplinary pain management. However, methodological limitations in the extant literature necessitate cautious interpretation, and future high-quality RCTs are warranted to strengthen evidence-based clinical implementation. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251067853, identifier (CRD420251067853).
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