Authors of a Korean meta-analysis have concluded that acupuncture therapy aimed at reducing preoperative anxiety has a statistically significant effect relative to placebo. Fourteen papers (involving 1,034 subjects) were included in the analysis. Six publications, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S), reported that acupuncture interventions led to a greater reductions in preoperative anxiety relative to sham acupuncture. A further eight publications that employed visual analogue scales (VAS) indicated significant differences in preoperative anxiety amelioration between acupuncture and sham acupuncture.

Efficacy of acupuncture in reducing preoperative anxiety: a meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:850367.