Electroacupuncture at ST36 accelerates the recovery of gastrointestinal motility after colorectal surgery: a randomised controlled trial

Zhaodi Zhang

Changsong Wang

Quanyi Li

Mingyue Zhang

Haifang Zhao

Linlin Dong

Guonian Wang

Yan Jin

Acupuncture in Medicine

2014

32(3)

223-226

RCT

Colorectal Neoplasms -- Surgery

Postoperative Care

Recovery

Gastrointestinal Motility -- Standards

Electroacupuncture -- Methods

Acupuncture Points

Time

Human

Randomized Controlled Trials

Random Assignment

Descriptive Statistics

Female

Male

Aged

Middle Age

Data Analysis Software

T-Tests

Mann-Whitney U Test

Chi Square Test

Fisher's Exact Test

Funding Source

Objectives: To evaluate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 can accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal motility after colorectal surgery. Methods: Forty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II and III undergoing elective open resection of malignant colorectal tumours were included in this study. Using a sealed envelope method, the patients were randomly divided into two groups either receiving EA (EA group) or sham EA (SEA group). Data regarding the recovery of bowel function (times to the first bowel sounds, passage of flatus and defaecation) were collected and analysed. Results: In the EA group, the time intervals from surgery to the first bowel movement and passage of flatus were shorter than in the SEA group (13±10 h vs 19±13 h, p<0.05 and 23 ±14 h vs 32±18 h, p<0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the time to first defaecation (68±45 h vs 72±53 h, p>0.05). Conclusions: EA at ST36 accelerates the recovery of gastrointestinal motility after colorectal surgery.

10.1136/acupmed-2013-010490

Accession Number: 103977177. Language: English. Entry Date: 20140725. Revision Date: 20150710. Publication Type: Journal Article; research; tables/charts; randomized controlled trial. Journal Subset: Alternative/Complementary Therapies; Editorial Board Reviewed; Europe; Expert Peer Reviewed; Peer Reviewed; UK & Ireland. Grant Information: Financial support for this research was received from Heilong Jiang Postdoctoral Fund (No LBH-Z12212), the Foundation of Heilongjiang Health Committee (No 20120683) and a Fund from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (No JJ2 2011-2015).. NLM UID: 9304117.