We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Randomised clinical trial: an assessment of acupuncture on specific meridian or specific acupoint vs. sham acupuncture for treating functional dyspepsia.
- Authors
Ma, T. T.; Yu, S. Y.; Li, Y.; Liang, F. R.; Tian, X. P.; Zheng, H.; Yan, J.; Sun, G. J.; Chang, X. R.; Zhao, L.; Wu, X.; Zeng, F.
- Abstract
Summary 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 Qo L 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 Qo L 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.
- Subjects
ACUPUNCTURE; INDIGESTION; CLINICAL trials; CLINICAL medicine; MEDICAL research
- Publication
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2012, Vol 35, Issue 5, p552
- ISSN
0269-2813
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04979.x