Cureus
. 2022 Jan 3;14(1):e20888. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20888

Migraine is a debilitating condition that places a substantial economic burden on society and seriously affects patients’ quality of life. Currently, there is no known “cure” for migraines, and pharmacologic treatments or prophylaxis carry many unwanted effects. Acupuncture has been accepted as an alternative treatment. However, its effectiveness is still debated. This is a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) that investigate acupuncture safety and efficacy in migraine versus various control groups. Fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 2,056 participants that met the inclusion criteria were obtained and analyzed. Based on the findings, seven out of 10 trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture showed a more significant reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks and headache intensity. Four studies revealed acupuncture is just as effective and has fewer side effects than any western medicine. Acupuncture can be recommended as an alternative or adjunct to drug treatment for patients suffering migraines.