Acupuncture: A Review of the Safety and Adverse Events and the Strategy of Potential Risk Prevention
Author: Chien-Chen Huang1,2, Peddanna Kotha3, Cheng-Hao Tu3, Ming-Cheng Huang3,4, Yi-Hung Chen3,5,6, Jaung-Geng Lin7
Affiliation:
1 Department of Chinese Medicine, An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan 709204, Taiwan.
2 School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan.
3 Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan.
4 Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404327, Taiwan.
5 Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan.
6 Department of Photonics and Communication Engineering, Asia University, Taichung 413305, Taiwan.
7 School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan.
Conference/Journal: Am J Chin Med
Date published: 2024 Oct 26
Other:
Pages: 1-33 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1142/S0192415X24500617. , Word Count: 285
Acupuncture is widely accepted as a therapeutic treatment by patients and healthcare providers globally. The safety record has been well established in acupuncture practice although some rare adverse events (AEs) were reported in the literature. While acupuncture-related AEs are generally defined as any undesirable event that occurs in patients during acupuncture treatment that may or may not be associated with the treatment, acupuncture-related adverse reactions (ARs) are defined as any undesirable or harmful reaction induced by trained practitioners practicing acupuncture treatment with standard doses. In this review, we clarify the relationship between AEs and ARs. Furthermore, we compile a list of acupuncture-related AEs reported in systematic reviews and meta-analysis articles. We find that serious acupuncture-related AEs are rare, with serious AEs occurring at a rate of approximately 0.04-0.08 per 10,000 treatments. The most likely serious AEs are pneumothorax, central and peripheral nerve injuries, heart injuries, abdominal organ injuries, infections, and needle breakage. Commonly reported minor AEs include bruising, hematoma, or bleeding at the needling site, as well as vasovagal reactions such as tiredness, dizziness, fainting, or residual pain at insertion points. The analysis identifies contributing factors for serious AEs being deep needle penetration, incorrect acupoint selection, and improper needle manipulation. It also addresses infections caused by contaminated needles, environmental factors, and inadequate skin disinfection. Moreover, other serious AEs, like needle breakage, are mostly due to aggressive manipulation and repeated reheating. Importantly, most acupuncture-related AEs are preventable. To avoid such AEs, acupuncturists in clinical practice should carefully select needling areas, be aware of cautions and contraindications of acupuncture, maintain safe acupuncture depth and hygiene, and strictly adhere to standard operating procedures.
Keywords: Acupuncture; Adverse Reaction; Review; Risk Prevention Strategy; Safety; Serious Adverse Event.
PMID: 39460372 DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X24500617
BACK
