A large randomised controlled trial carried out in China has found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for functional dyspepsia. A total of 712 patients were randomly assigned to six groups. Group A received acupuncture on points of the Stomach channel specifically related to easing dyspepsia. Group B received acupuncture on non-specific points of the Stomach channel. Group C received acupuncture on front-mu alarm points and back-shu transporting points specifically related to easing dyspepsia. Group D received acupuncture on Gall Bladder channel points specifically related to easing dyspepsia. Group E received sham acupuncture at non-acupoints. Group F received the gastrokinetic drug itopride. The study period consisted of four weeks with five treatment sessions per week, and a follow-up period of 12 weeks. All groups showed an improvement in dyspepsia symptoms and quality of life (QoL) at the end of treatment, and the improvement was sustained at four and 12 weeks of follow up. The overall response rate was significantly higher in acupuncture Group A (70.69%), and significantly lower in sham acupuncture Group E (34.75%), when compared with itopride and other acupuncture groups. The improvement in dyspepsia symptom scores and QoL between baseline and end of treatment was significantly better in Group A compared with the other acupuncture groups. (Randomised clinical trial: an assessment of acupuncture on specific meridian or specific acupoint vs. sham acupuncture for treating functional dyspepsia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Mar;35(5):552-61).
Categories: Digestive Bowel disorders
