Randomised clinical trial: an assessment of acupuncture on specific meridian or specific acupoint vs. sham acupuncture for treating functional dyspepsia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disease without an established optimal treatment.

AIM:

To determine (i) the effect of acupuncture in relieving FD symptoms and improving life quality; (ii) the effect difference between acupoint and non-acupoint; and (iii) the effect difference among different acupoints.

METHODS:

A total of 712 eligible patients were included and randomly assigned to six groups (Group A: specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; Group B: non-specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; Group C: specific acupoints of alarm and transport points; Group D: specific acupoints of the gallbladder meridian; Group E: sham acupuncture of non-acupoints; and Group F: itopride). A treatment period of 4 weeks (continuous five sessions per week), and a follow-up period of 12 weeks were arranged. The outcomes were the (i) patients' response, (ii) symptoms improvement measured using the Symptom Index of Dyspepsia and (iii) quality-of-life improvement based on Nepean Dyspepsia Index.

RESULTS:

All groups had an improvement in dyspepsia symptoms and the QoL at the end of treatment, and the improvement was sustained for 4 weeks and 12 weeks. The overall response rate was significantly higher in acupuncture group A (70.69%), and lower in sham acupuncture group (34.75%), compared with itopride and other acupuncture groups. Similarly, the difference in symptoms and QoL improvement was significant between group A and the other acupuncture groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, and is superior to non-acupoint puncture. The benefit of acupuncture relies on acupoint specificity.

• Authors: T T Ma, S Y Yu, Y Li, F R Liang, X P Tian, H Zheng, J Yan, G J Sun, X R Chang, L Zhao, X Wu, F Zeng
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 35 Issue 5 Pg. 552-61 (Mar 2012) ISSN: 1365-2036 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22243034 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Topics

• Acupuncture Points
• Acupuncture Therapy (methods)
• Adult
• Dyspepsia (physiopathology, therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Meridians
• Middle Aged
• Quality of Life
• Severity of Illness Index
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult