Vickers AJ, et al. - Researchers planned this work with the aim to update an individual patient data meta-analysis to assess the effect size of acupuncture for four chronic pain conditions. Observations revealed the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic musculosketal, headache and osteoarthritis pain. Persistence of treatment effects of acupuncture over time was observed that could not be explained solely in terms of placebo effects. Thus for a patient with chronic pain, referral for a course of acupuncture treatment seemed a reasonable option.