Riassunto dello studio

Fourteen randomized controlled trials including 851 patients with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing acupuncture versus corticosteroid injections, topical analgesics, and waitlist controls. Pooled outcomes of interest included treatment effectiveness, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and Cooney wrist joint scores. Acupuncture significantly improved treatment effectiveness compared to topical analgesics and reduced VAS pain scores. However, no significant differences were found between acupuncture and corticosteroid injections for pain reduction or overall effectiveness. Acupuncture also demonstrated a cumulative benefit over a waiting list group. These findings suggest that acupuncture may be a viable alternative for pain relief and functional improvement in DQt, though further high-quality research is needed.