Table 2 Estimate effect of cupping therapy and acupuncture for pain-related conditions

Zhou [19]

200

Cervical spondylosis

MD −1.70, 95% CI −1.94 to −1.46

P < 0.00,001

VAS for pain

Mou [21]

124

Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

MD 0.11, 95% CI −0.78 to 1.00

MD 4.33, 95% CI −3.14 to 11.80

MD 1.59, 95% CI −1.17 to 4.35

P = 0.81

P = 0.26

P = 0.26

VAS

Neck disability index (physical therapy)

CAS

Wang [25]

80

Knee osteoarthritis

RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.32 to 5.19

RD 0.03, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.16

P = 0.72

P = 0.72

Symptom improvement rate

Wang [26]

171

Knee osteoarthritis

MD −0.97, 95% CI −1.56 to −0.38

MD −1.35, 95% CI −1.91 to −0.79

MD −1.01, 95% CI −1.87 to −0.15

MD −0.17, 95% CI −0.52 to 0.18

MD −2.92, 95% CI −6.18 to 0,34

MD −4.14, 95% CI −8.49 to 0.21

MD −1.66, 95% CI −2.48 to −0.84

MD −0.35, 95% CI −0.68 to −0.02

MD −4.93, 95% CI −7.97 to −1.89

MD −6.93, 95% CI −11.0 to −12.85

P = 0.001

P < 0.00001

P = 0.02

P = 0.34

P = 0.08

P = 0.06

P < 0.0001

P = 0.04

P = 0.001

P = 0.0009

VAS

VAS (follow at 4 weeks)

WOMAC—pain scores

WOMAC—stiff scores

WOMAC—difficult of life scores

WOMAC —total scores

WOMAC—pain scores (follow at 4 weeks)

WOMAC—stiff scores (follow at 4 weeks)

WOMAC—difficult of life scores (follow at 4 weeks)

WOMAC total scores (follow at 4 weeks)

Wang [29]

62

Lumber disk herniation

MD 1.88, 95% CI −0.24 to 4.00

RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.27

RD −0.07, 95% CI −0.31 to 0.16

P = 0.08

P = 0.53

P = 0.53

JOA scores

Symptom improvement rate

Zhou [30]

120

The third lumber vertebral transverse process syndrome

RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.15

RD 0.05, 95% CI −0.03 to 0.13

MD −1.58,95% CI −2.04 to −1.12

P = 0.25

P = 0.24

P < 0.00001

Symptom improvement rate

VAS scores

Zhang [31]

40

Postherpetic neuralgia

RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.09

RD −0.05, 95% CI −0.18 to 0.08

MD 0.10, 95% CI −0.51 to 0.70

P = 0.47

P = 0.44

P = 0.75

Symptom improvement rate

VAS

Huang [32]

96

Postherpetic neuralgia

RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.33

RD 0.13, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.25

MD −1.17, 95% CI −1.67 to −0.67

P = 0.05

P = 0.04

P < 0.00001

Symptom improvement rate

VAS

Wu [33]

407

Toothache

RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08

RD 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.07

P = 0.03

P = 0.03

Symptom improvement rate

Liu [36]

76

Muscles fibrositis

RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.15

RD 0.05, 95% CI −0.03 to 0.14

P = 0.24

P = 0.22

Symptom improvement rate

Huang [37]

264

Soft tissue contusion

RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.05

RD −0.01, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.05

P = 0.79

P = 0.79

Symptom improvement rate

Zhou [38]

46

Acute lumbar sprain

RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.33

RD 0.08, 95% CI −0.10 to 0.25

P = 0.39

P = 0.38

Symptom improvement rate

Wang [39]

120

Acute ankle joint

RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.33

RD 0.15, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.25

P = 0.009

P = 0.005

Symptom improvement rate

Cao [40]

56

Fibromyalgia

MD −4.06, 95% CI −5.4 to 13.72

MD −5.93, 95% CI −7.89 to 19.75

MD −0.42, 95% CI −4.09 to 4.93

VAS

Quality of life

HAMD