The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
-
J Altern Complement Med · Jul 2008
ReviewEfficacy and safety of acupuncture for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.
To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy (monotherapy or adjuvant therapy), compared with placebo, conventional interventions, or no treatment in treating patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). ⋯ There is evidence indicating the potential effectiveness of acupuncture for treating IPD. The results were limited by the methodological flaws, unknowns in concealment of allocation, number of dropouts, and blinding methods in the studies. Large, well-designed, placebo-controlled RCTs with rigorous methods of randomization and adequately concealed allocation, as well as intention-to-treat data analysis are needed.