Objective To assess the efficacy and possible adverse effects of acupuncture on frozen shoulder. Methods Based on the key words, i.e. acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupuncture-moxibustion, frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis, shoulder disorders etc., the Chinese databases were retrieved, including Oochrane Musculoskeleta Group, Oochrane Controlled Trials Register, Oochrane Complementary Medicine Field, and the central database of the Oochrane Library as well as MEDLINE, EMBASE and Chinese Biomedical CD （OBM-disc）. 20 Chinese medical journals and relevant academic conference proceedings have been searched manually. The reference lists of identified documents were checked as the supplementary retrieval. Results 6 randomized controlled trials on frozen shoulder with acupuncture and electroacupuncture were included, indicating quite advanced study quality. There were 34 to 257 participants in the trials, 668 in total. The total OR of CMS/OSA was OR 3.49 （95 % CI - 2.64 to 9.63）, the total OR of VAS was OR - 1.24 （95% CI -3.50 to 1.01）, the total OR of ROM was OR 35.70 （95% CI 22.91 to 48.49）; the total OR of MELLE was OR 4.30 （95% OI 2.32 to 7.98）. Conclusion It is shown in the present limited inclusive trials on frozen shoulder that acupuncture is the safe therapy and effective on improving the global function, relieving pain, and improving the range of motion of shoulder. All the therapeutic effects of acupuncture are superior to those in control group. However, much more high quality trials are required to provide much stronger evidence. Additionally, much more evidences on validity of frozen shoulder with other assessing indexes involved are required in the treatment with acupuncture.
