Description During each acupuncture session, each patient received a total of 14 acupuncture needles at seven pairs of bilateral points (ST-36, PC-6, LI-4, SP-6, SP-9, ST-25, auricular shenmen) for 30 min.
Experimental Description
Ninety patients were randomized. Eighty-one received the allocated intervention: 39 in the true acupuncture group and 42 in the sham acupuncture group, all evaluated for the primary endpoint.
Sample Count
81
Age
19-64
Control
Sham
sham acupuncture(n=42)
Experiment
true acupuncture(n=39)
Indicator
Patient first tolerated solid foodTime of first flatusTime of first bowel movementPainPostoperative Nausea and Vomiting(PONV)Visual analog scale(VAS)
Auxiliary Medication
Standardized postoperative care plan, which includes nursing orders, activity orders, DVT prophylaxis, antiemetics, analgesics, patient-controlled analgesia, dietary instructions, and discharge planning.
Stimulation Method
EA
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
-
-
2 Hz
square wave
-
30 min
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
32 G in width, and ranged from 1/2 to 3 long.
-
-
Description Single-use, sterilized, disposable, filiform acupuncture needles were used. These are made from stainless steel, 32 G in width, and ranged from 1/2″ to 3″ long. The acupuncture style and points used were based on traditional Chinese medicine and previous use in animal and human studies summarized in the “Introduction” section. During each acupuncture session, each patient received a total of 14 acupuncture needles at seven pairs of bilateral points (ST-36, PC-6, LI-4, SP-6, SP-9, ST-25, auricular shenmen) for 30 min. Electrical stimulation, 2 Hz, 0.5 msec square wave pulses, was applied to ST-36 (negative) and PC-6 (positive).
Anesthesia Method
GA
Clinical Trial Type
random
Contraindications
Contraindications to use of electrical stimulation (pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator), previous serious adverse event with acupuncture
Effector
Ninety patients were randomized. Eighty-one received the allocated intervention: 39 in the true acupuncture group and 42 in the sham acupuncture group, all evaluated for the primary endpoint. The mean time to GI-3 was 149 h [standard deviation (SD) 71 h] and 146 (SD 62 h) after surgery for the acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group (difference between means −2 h; 95 % confidence interval −31, 26; p = 0.9). No significant differences were found between groups for secondary endpoints.
"A phase II, randomized, controlled trial of acupuncture for reduction of Postcolectomy Ileus."
Abstract
PURPOSE: Postoperative ileus (POI) prolongs hospital stay and increases risk of postoperative complications. We conducted a randomized, sham-controlled trial to evaluate whether acupuncture reduces POI more effectively than sham acupuncture. METHODS: Colon cancer patients undergoing elective colectomy were randomized to receive 30 min of true or sham acupuncture twice daily during their first 3 postoperative days. GI-3 (the later of the following two events: time that the patient first tolerated solid food, AND time that the patient first passed flatus OR a bowel movement) and GI-2 (the later of the following two events: time patient first tolerated solid food AND time patient first passed a bowel movement) were determined. Pain, nausea, vomiting, and use of pain medications were evaluated daily for the first 3 postoperative days. RESULTS: Ninety patients were randomized. Eighty-one received the allocated intervention: 39 in the true acupuncture group and 42 in the sham acupuncture group, all evaluated for the primary endpoint. The mean time to GI-3 was 149 h [standard deviation (SD) 71 h] and 146 (SD 62 h) after surgery for the acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group (difference between means -2 h; 95 % confidence interval -31, 26; p = 0.9). No significant differences were found between groups for secondary endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: True acupuncture as provided in this study did not reduce POI more significantly than sham acupuncture. The study was limited by a standard deviation much larger than expected, suggesting that a study with a larger sample size might be required."
Souce
Ann Surg Oncol. 2013 Apr;20(4):1164-9. doi: 10.1245/s10434-012-2759-7. Epub 2012 Nov 28.
