References, Research & Evidence
At Sue Sheppard Acupuncture, we aim to provide evidence-informed care. The studies listed here explore various aspects of acupuncture. These references are provided for information only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. We will continue to update this page with new research as it becomes available, offering a growing resource for those interested in the scientific exploration of acupuncture.
​
​*Note: All studies are provided for information only and do not imply guaranteed outcomes or medical advice.
1 / Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapy on Stress in a Large Urban College Student Population. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies.
Randomized trials have examined acupuncture’s effects on perceived stress and related outcomes, showing reductions in stress scores in treatment groups compared with control groups.
Ready Study.
2 / Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
Large individual patient-data meta-analyses of randomized trials indicate modest but statistically significant benefits of acupuncture over sham or no-acupuncture controls for chronic pain conditions, and support the view that acupuncture can be a reasonable option within a broader care plan.
Read Study.
3 / The effect of acupuncture on quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This meta-analysis of RCTs assessed the effect of acupuncture on quality of life (QoL), showing positive associations in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Read Study.
4/Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine examined 29 clinical trials involving over 2,200 participants to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture as part of treatment for major depressive disorder. The review found that acupuncture, when compared with usual care or sham treatment, was associated with improvements in depressive symptoms, suggesting it may have a supportive role within a broader treatment plan
Read Study.