Table 1 Medline search strategy for title, abstract and Mesh

1

randomised controlled trial

2

controlled clinical trial

3

randomly

4

randomized

5

randomised

6

trial

7

or/1-6

8

osteoporosis

9

osteopenia

10

bone mass loss

11

bone mass decrease

12

osteoporotic

13

or/8–12

14

acupuncture

15

acupoint

16

meridian

17

electro-acupuncture

18

electroacupuncture

19

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

20

acupoint catgut embedding

21

acupressure

22

cupping jar

23

moxibustion

24

auricular points

25

abdominal acupuncture points

26

scalp acupuncture points

27

laser

28

magnets

29

Bleeding

30

acupoint injection

31

fire needle

32

needle-knife

33

superficial needling

34

or/14-33

35

7 and 13 and 34