Research on the Effectiveness and Methodology of Acupuncture for Ankle Sprain – A Preliminary Systematic Review

Background: Ankle sprains are a common musculoskeletal injury associated with significant pain, functional impairment, and high recurrence rates. Conventional treatments often combine pharmacological, physical, and rehabilitative strategies. Acupuncture, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is increasingly recognized for its potential therapeutic role, though its clinical effectiveness for ankle sprains requires further examination.Objective: To make a preliminary systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of ankle sprains, with a focus on meth-odological approaches and point selection.Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, EuropePMC, and SciELO databases (inception–March 2025) using the keywords: (ankle sprain) AND (acupuncture) AND (random-ized controlled trial). Inclusion criteria: RCTs involving human participants with ankle sprains, published in English, Chinese, Spanish, French, or Portuguese, evaluating acupuncture interven-tions. Data extraction focused on study design, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and acu-puncture point selection.Results: Eight studies comprising 604 participants met the inclusion criteria. Interventions in-cluded conventional acupuncture (6 studies), electro-acupuncture (1), and acupuncture with moxibustion (1). Acupuncture demonstrated consistent efficacy in reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing proprioception, often comparable to or exceeding standard therapies such as physiotherapy or pharmacotherapy. Commonly used points included ST41, GB40, and BL60. Localized techniques (e.g., surrounding needling), distal systemic points (e.g., LI4, LV3), and individualized Ashi points were employed depending on the injury stage and symptom presentation.Conclusion: Acupuncture appears to be an effective and well-tolerated intervention for ankle sprains, showing promise in both acute care and rehabilitation. Strategic point selection and ad-junctive methods may enhance outcomes. Despite encouraging findings, further high-quality RCTs are warranted to confirm efficacy.