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Open research questions in Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies

148 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 343 Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Only 5 studies clearly described the implementation of allocation concealment. The remaining 18 studies lacked relevant descriptions of allocation concealment. Only 1 study successfully implemented double-blinding for participants, personnel, and outcome assessors. The remaining 22 studies were unable to double-blind participants and operators due to the operational characteristics of acupuncture interventions.

    Sustained efficacy of acupuncture in post-stroke dysphagia: a systematic review and meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies are needed to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. Long-term data for subjective quality of life (SWAL-QOL) remains relatively scarce and needs further investigation. The effects of acupuncture on PSD in different patient populations need to be studied.

    Sustained efficacy of acupuncture in post-stroke dysphagia: a systematic review and meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • However, in recent years, few studies have systematically analyzed the potential mechanisms in this field, and whether acupuncture can improve PSCI through the MGBA remains to be explored.

    Microbiota-gut-brain-axis: a new target of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke cognitive impairment · 2025 · DOI

  • Importance: The study was carried out to inform Medicare acupuncture coverage decisions addressing the gap in evidence on acupuncture effectiveness, specifically for older adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

    Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults · 2025 · DOI

  • Objective: The specific benefit and selection of acupoints in acupuncture for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains controversial.

    A strategic study of acupuncture for diabetic kidney disease based on meta-analysis and data mining · 2024 · DOI

  • Conclusion: Current research highlights on acupuncture for infertility resulting in natural conception focused on female infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulation disorder, and LUFS, while studies on male infertility and female infertility caused by blockage in the fallopian tube, thin endometrium, and other factors were insufficient.

    Trends in acupuncture for infertility: a scoping review with bibliometric and visual analysis · 2024 · DOI

  • Background/Objectives: Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) is widely used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes; however, its safety profile, particularly in real-world clinical settings, remains under-researched.

    Safety of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Pilot Study · 2024 · DOI

  • Importance: The effects of self-administered acupressure (SAA) on knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain remain unclear.

    Self-Administered Acupressure for Probable Knee Osteoarthritis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults · 2024 · DOI

  • Acupuncture is recommended as an alternative therapy for poststroke aphasia, but its efficacy remains uncertain.

    Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Patients With Poststroke Motor Aphasia · 2024 · DOI

  • Direct genetic manipulation tools such as conditional gene knockout and RNA interference targeting PGAM5 and FUNDC1 have not been employed to verify the role of the PGAM5/FUNDC1 axis in electroacupuncture-mediated neuronal apoptosis inhibition. These specific genetic approaches are needed to provide definitive evidence beyond indirect pharmacological inhibition.

    Electroacupuncture inhibited neuronal apoptosis through PGAM5/FUNDC1-dependent mitophagy after ischemic stroke · 2026 · DOI

  • The study only used male animal models to control hormonal variations and did not examine gender differences in response to electroacupuncture after ischemic stroke, despite gender being a known influencing factor for stroke prognosis. Validation of the PGAM5/FUNDC1-dependent mitophagy mechanism in both male and female models is required.

    Electroacupuncture inhibited neuronal apoptosis through PGAM5/FUNDC1-dependent mitophagy after ischemic stroke · 2026 · DOI

  • The study faced challenges in terms of sample size and feasibility. The central neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture remain insufficiently understood.

    Cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity immediate changes following intradermal acupuncture in major depressive disorder · 2026 · DOI

  • The central neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture remain insufficiently understood. There is a need for further research on the effects of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity in patients with MDD.

    Cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity immediate changes following intradermal acupuncture in major depressive disorder · 2026 · DOI

  • The study had a limited number of studies that reported on certain outcomes. The study had a high risk of bias in some of the included studies. The study did not include studies that were not published in English or Chinese.

    Systematic review and network meta-analysis of optimal acupuncture modalities for post-stroke upper limb motor dysfunction · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of comprehensive comparisons of different acupuncture modalities for post-stroke upper limb motor dysfunction. There is a need for high-quality studies that report on the effectiveness of acupuncture for post-stroke upper limb motor dysfunction.

    Systematic review and network meta-analysis of optimal acupuncture modalities for post-stroke upper limb motor dysfunction · 2026 · DOI

  • The included studies had insufficient methodological quality and relatively small sample sizes. The substantial heterogeneity across existing studies, which manifests across multiple domains including acupoint selection, stimulation parameters, treatment regimens, control interventions, and outcome measures. The need for larger, rigorously designed trials to confirm the findings.

    Electroacupuncture in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential · 2026 · DOI

  • Larger, rigorously designed trials to confirm the findings. Further research to establish the optimal treatment protocols and to fully understand the mechanisms of action of EA in NAFLD. Investigation of the long-term efficacy and safety of EA in patients with NAFLD.

    Electroacupuncture in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of standardized protocols for head and neck acupoint massage. The need for a comprehensive approach that integrates Korean medicine principles with cosmetology.

    Development of a Standard Protocol for Head and Neck Acupoint Massage Using the Delphi method: An Integrative Approach of Cosmetology and Korean Medicine · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of comprehensive comparison of the efficacy of various complementary and alternative medicine non-pharmacological therapies on fatigue levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine indicators in chronic fatigue-like conditions animal models. Prior studies have investigated the effects of these therapies, but a systematic review and network meta-analysis are needed to compare their efficacy.

    Effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies in complementary and alternative medicine on improving fatigue levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine levels in animal models of chronic fatigue-like conditions: a systematic review and network meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The pathophysiology of SHS remains incompletely understood. There are currently no established treatment guidelines for SHS.

    The clinical effect of manual therapy including Tuina (or Chuna) on post-stroke shoulder hand syndrome–a literature review · 2026 · DOI

  • The clinical role of manual therapy has not been systematically evaluated. The pathophysiology of SHS remains incompletely understood.

    The clinical effect of manual therapy including Tuina (or Chuna) on post-stroke shoulder hand syndrome–a literature review · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of effective therapeutic strategies for cognitive impairment after stroke is a major challenge. The understanding of the mechanisms of cognitive impairment after stroke is limited.

    Electroacupuncture ameliorates learning and memory impairment by inhibiting inflammation and promoting synaptic plasticity via inhibition of the NF-KB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic rats. · 2026 · DOI

  • The mechanisms of cognitive impairment after stroke are not fully understood. The effects of electroacupuncture on learning and memory impairment in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury are not well studied.

    Electroacupuncture ameliorates learning and memory impairment by inhibiting inflammation and promoting synaptic plasticity via inhibition of the NF-KB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic rats. · 2026 · DOI

  • The available evidence is insufficient to recommend routine acupuncture use for sepsis. High-quality trials are needed to fully assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for sepsis. The trials should adhere to Standard for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines.

    The role of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for sepsis: a narrative review of the evidence and future trial directions · 2026 · DOI

  • The study has limitations due to the inherent nature of acupuncture, which makes it difficult to blind the participants. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed, and 11.4% of the studies had a high risk of bias. The study also notes that the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of studies and observed heterogeneity.

    Acupuncture-related therapies for drug addiction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

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148 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 343 Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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