Table 2 Summary statistics at baseline and day 28 expressed as mean and between-group effect sizes

Number of participants who provided complete data

Acupuncture

8

7

Usual care

7

5

NRS average pain

Acupuncture

5.44 (3.90–6.98)

0.00

2.75 (0.31–5.19)

0.64

Usual care

5.43 (3.75–7.11)

4.43 (2.37–6.49)

NRS worst pain

Acupuncture

8.00 (6.21–9.79)

0.38

4.00 (0.40–7.60)

0.69

Usual care

7.29 (5.80–8.77)

6.29 (4.54–8.03)

SF-MPQ-2

Acupuncture

2.55 (1.70–3.40)

0.21

1.06 (0.13–2.24)

0.46

Usual care

2.85 (1.22–4.47)

1.89 (0.07–3.85)

HADS anxiety

Acupuncture

6.38 (2.75–10.00)

0.29

5.25 (1.97–8.53)

0.10

Usual care

5.29 (2.33–8.24)

4.86 (1.38–8.34)

HADS depression

Acupuncture

6.63 (3.34–9.91)

0.35

0.35 5.75 (1.35–10.15)

0.12

Usual care

5.14 (0.99–9.29

5.14 (0.99–9.29)

PSS-10

Acupuncture

15.25 (10.90–19.60)

0.31

11.63 (5.43–17.82)

0.48

Usual care

17.28 (10.11–24.46)

15.57 (7.35–23.79)

ISI

Acupuncture

13.50 (5.96–21.04)

0.49

8.50 (1.65–15.35)

0.14

Usual care

9.14 (0.93–17.35)

7.42 (0.61–14.24)

EQ-5D-5 L mobility

Acupuncture

4.88 (4.58–5.17)

0.00

3.75 (2.88–4.62)

0.47

Usual care

4.88 (4.58–5.17)

4.29 (3.13–5.45)

EQ-5D-5 L self care

Acupuncture

1.75 (1.16–2.34)

0.24

1.63 (1.00–2.25)

0.09

Usual care

1.57 (0.84–2.30)

1.57 (1.08–2.07)

EQ-5D-5 L usual activities

Acupuncture

3.75 (2.68–4.82)

0.45

2.88 (2.18–3.57)

0.84

Usual care

4.29 (3.26–5.31)

3.71 (2.69–4.74)

EQ-5D-5 L pain-discomfort

Acupuncture

3.50 (2.87–4.13)

1.24

2.88 (2.18–3.57)

0.44

Usual care

2.71 (2.26–3.17)

2.57 (2.08–3.07)

EQ-5D-5 L anxiety/depression

Acupuncture

2.00 (1.11–2.89)

0.46

2.00 (1.23–2.77)

0.50

Usual care

1.57 (0.84–2.30)

1.57 (0.84–2.30)

EQ-5D-5 L health today

Acupuncture

63.13 (46.41–79.84)

0.21

74.63 (58.49–90.76)

0.15

Usual care

67.14 (50.29–84.00)

77.14 (63.05–91.23)

PGIC

Acupuncture

5.71 (4.23–7.20)

1.27

Usual care

3.20 (0.37–6.03)