Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for hypertension: An overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of hypertension, yet its efficacy and safety for hypertension remain controversial. This overview aimed to summarize the evidence on acupuncture for hypertension.

METHODS: Eight databases were searched. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach were performed.

RESULTS: Fifteen systematic reviews (SRs) were identified. Methodological quality and quality of evidence were unsatisfactory. Acupuncture combined with Western medicine (WM) was superior to WM in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), efficacy rate, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome. Acupuncture was more effective in treating SBP and DBP than sham acupuncture plus WM. Evidence regarding the benefit of acupuncture alone for SBP and DBP, efficacy rate and TCM syndrome was inconsistent. No serious adverse effects were identified.

CONCLUSION: High-quality SRs and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are required.