Background: Tinnitus is a prevalent condition for which patients may seek treatment with acupuncture since no conventional treatment has been shown to be effective.
Objective: To summarize and critically review all randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for tinnitus.
Data sources: Four independent computerized literature searches (MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Embase, and CISCOM) were conducted in December 1998 using the key words acupuncture and tinnitus.
Study selection: All randomized controlled trials that compared any form of acupuncture with any control intervention in the treatment of tinnitus were included.
Data extraction: Data were extracted by 2 authors independently. The methodological quality of the included randomized controlled trials was assessed using the Jadad score.
Data synthesis: Six randomized controlled trials were included in the review, 4 of which used crossover design. Four studies used manual acupuncture and 2 used electroacupuncture. Five of 6 studies used inconsistent acupoints. Three studies scored 3 points or more on the Jadad scale.
Main outcome measures: Outcome measurements were visual analog scale scores for loudness, annoyance, and awareness of tinnitus; subjective severity scale scores for tinnitus; or Nottingham Health Profile scores.
Results: Two unblinded studies showed a positive result, whereas 4 blinded studies showed no significant effect of acupuncture.
Conclusion: Acupuncture has not been demonstrated to be efficacious as a treatment for tinnitus on the evidence of rigorous randomized controlled trials.