ObjectivesTo analyze the development of acupuncture registered trials based on WHO international clinical trial registration platform (ICTRP) in the past 5 years.MethodsWHO ICTRP database was electronically searched to collect acupuncture-related clinical trials registered from January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened items, extracted data, and descriptive analysis was performed for the included trials.ResultsThe results showed that there were 1 556 registered clinical trials on acupuncture, and the most registered year was 2017. China was in the main country in applying for acupuncture-related clinical trials, however, the most registered unit was Kyung Hee University in Korea. The trials were mainly interventional research, mostly used randomized, blinded methods, and design modes were mainly based on parallel trials. In clinical trial phase, the majority were in the clinical trial period of treatment of new technologies. The field of clinical research was expected to be on pain in the future.ConclusionsAlthough acupuncture research is currently in a good stage of development, it should still value on the quality and innovative training of relevant trials, strengthen Chinese ties with other countries, focus on regional, domestic and international cooperation, expand research types, and enhance acupuncture applicability.