Table 2 Summary of treatment points, their rationales and adverse events

Hansen (1982) [16]

deqi sensation

6

Common: TE21,TE3,TE17, GB2, ipsilateral

TCM theory

n.r.

Shi-type (hyper-function tinnitus): plus LR2

Xu-type (hypo-function tinnitus): plus KI3

Vilholm (1998) [18]

deqi sensation

25

SI19, GB2,SI17, GV20: bilateral

TCM theory

n.r.

Distal points, n.r.: individually, based on the

differentiation of signs and symptoms, bilateral.

Jeon (2012) [20]

Deqi sensation

10

Prone: Bilateral local points: GB12, GB20

Previous study

n.r.

Ipsilateral points: GV14,GV15,GV16,,GV20,GV21

Supine: Bilateral: BL2, LI20;

Ipsilateranl: TE12, TE22, SI19, GB2, TE17, GB7, GV20, EX-HN3

Wang (2010) [21]

deqi sensation

6

Bilateral local points :GB8,TE17,GB2, GB20,GV20

TCM theory

n.r.

Bilateral remote points :TE3,ST36

Marks (1984) [17]

deqi sensation

2

LI4,LI5,SI4,SI5,SI19,KI6,PC9,GB11,GB12,TE17 and auricular point of vertigo

TCM theory

n.r.

Okada (2006) [15]

n.r.

1

Scalp acupuncture at cochleal-vestibular area (bilateral or ipsilateral n.r.)

TCM theory

Significant pain

during needling, n = 2 (2.6%)

de Azevedo (2007) [12]

n.r.

1

Scalp acupuncture at cochleal-vestibular area (bilateral or ipsilateral n.r.)

TCM theory

n.r.

Tan (2007) [22]

deqi sensation

30

cervical Jiaji ( EX-B 2)

TCM theory

n.r.

Jiang (2010) [23]

n.r.

30

Point EX-HN1(Sishencong),TE21,GB2

TCM theory

n.r.

Unilateral sick: ipsilateral acupoints

Bilateral sick: bilateral acupoints