The effect of acupuncture on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and circadian rhythm in patients with essential hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Huawei Gao, Zhihong Li, Wenxiang Zhan et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed acupuncture’s effects on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and circadian rhythm in people with essential hypertension. It included 13 randomised controlled trials involving 1,080 patients. Compared with control treatment, acupuncture was associated with lower 24-hour average systolic and diastolic blood pressure; the mean difference was -3.57 for systolic pressure (95% CI -5.04 to -2.10) and -3.61 for diastolic pressure (95% CI -5.12 to -2.10). The analysis also reported improvements in blood pressure variability and load, and the authors concluded that acupuncture added to Western medication improved these measures and circadian rhythm.
Key findings
- Acupuncture groups had lower 24-hour average systolic BP than controls (MD = -3.57, 95% CI: -5.04 to -2.10, p < 0.001).
- The 24-hour average diastolic BP difference was MD = -3.61 (95% CI: -5.12 to -2.10, p < 0.001).
- Acupuncture was associated with lower 24-hour SBP variability (MD = -1.15) and DBP variability (MD = -0.96); both p < 0.001.
- The review reported lower 24-hour SBP and DBP load and improvement in BP circadian rhythm with acupuncture added to Western medication.
Why it matters
Ambulatory blood pressure captures average pressure, variability, load and circadian pattern, providing a broader assessment than a single measurement. The pooled findings suggest acupuncture alongside Western medication may improve several of these measures in essential hypertension. However, the abstract does not establish whether these changes translate into fewer cardiovascular events or durable clinical benefit.
What to keep in mind
The findings combine 13 trials, and the abstract provides no details on trial quality, follow-up duration, or the units for the reported mean differences, limiting assessment of robustness and clinical magnitude.