Evidence mapPaperPMID 39913614Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Acupuncture as an independent or adjuvant therapy to standard management for menopausal insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xiaoni Zhang, Chengyong Liu, Shan Qin, Chaoming Chen, Xiaoqiu Wang, Yuanyuan Jiang, Wenzhong Wu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xiaoni ZhangDepartment of Acupuncture, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3581-2343
Chengyong LiuDepartment of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Shan QinDepartment of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Chaoming ChenDepartment of Acupuncture, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Xiaoqiu WangDepartment of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Yuanyuan JiangNanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Wenzhong WuNanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5893-8956

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis systematic review aimed to clarify if acupuncture is more effective for menopausal insomnia compared with sham acupuncture, standard care (sedative hypnotics and/or MHT) or waitlist control.

methodsSeven literature databases were searched on April 30, 2024, to identify RCTs assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture. The methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration, and meta-analyses were conducted to calculate comparative effects using Rev Man software.

results28 RCTs were analyzed. Six sham acupuncture-controlled RCTs were notable because of their high quality, and they showed that acupuncture significantly lowered PSQI scores, increased TST, sleep efficiency, and reduced WASO. The effect of acupuncture was maintained at a 4-week follow-up. Sixteen RCTs compared acupuncture with standard care, which showed acupuncture significantly reduced PSQI scores, KI scores, HAMD and HAMA scores. However, the subgroup analysis showed that there was no obviously difference between acupuncture and western medication in the treatment duration >8 weeks. Five RCTs assessed acupuncture combined with standard care and showed a favorable reduction in the PSQI score than standard care. One RCT showed that acupuncture significantly reduced PSQI and KI scores than a waitlist control. The GRADE assessment demonstrated that the level of evidence was very low to moderate, probably for the poor methodological quality and substantial heterogeneity among studies.

conclusionThe results showed that acupuncture may play a positive role in patients with menopausal insomnia.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyMenopauseSleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersFemaleHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID39913614
PMCPMC11801557

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.