Electroacupuncture at ST36, ST37, and PC6 may shorten recovery times after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
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Key Takeaway
Consider electroacupuncture as a potential adjunct to enhance early recovery after laparoscopic gastrectomy, based on a small RCT with significant but unquantified benefits.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated electroacupuncture versus standard perioperative care in 60 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The treatment group received electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Neiguan (PC6) at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-anesthesia recovery, using continuous waves at 50 Hz frequency and 0.1-1 mA intensity for 30 minutes per session.
The primary outcomes were time to first anal exhaust, time to first anal defecation, time to first oral fluid intake, and time to first ambulation. For all four primary outcomes, the results were significantly earlier in the treatment group compared with the control group (p < 0.05 for each). The absolute numbers and effect sizes for these outcomes were not reported.
Secondary outcomes included pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and serum metabolites. Pain VAS scores at 72 hours post-operation were significantly lower in the treatment group (p < 0.05). Analysis of serum metabolites identified 10 characteristic metabolic biomarkers associated with electroacupuncture, including 1-Methylguanine and (2-Aminoethoxy) acetic acid, though no p-values or effect sizes were reported for this finding.
Safety and tolerability were not reported; no adverse events, serious adverse events, or discontinuations were described. Key limitations include the lack of reported follow-up duration, absolute outcome numbers, effect sizes, and safety data. The practice relevance is not specified. While the results are statistically significant, the clinical meaningfulness and generalizability remain uncertain, and electroacupuncture should be considered an adjunctive intervention pending further evidence.
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View Original Abstract ↓
OBJECTIVE: To observe the promoting effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients after gastric cancer operation, and to explore the possible biological mechanisms by which EA regulates gastrointestinal motility using metabolomics.
METHODS: A total of 60 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. An additional 20 healthy individuals were recruited as the healthy group. The patients in the control group received standardized perioperative care. In addition, the patients in the treatment group received acupuncture at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Neiguan (PC6) at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-anesthesia recovery. EA was applied between ipsilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37) using continuous waves at 50 Hz of frequency and 0.1-1 mA intensity for 30 minutes per session. Postoperative gastrointestinal function indexes were observed, including time to first anal exhaust, time to first anal defecation, time to first oral fluid intake, and time to first ambulation. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded at pre-operation, 2 hours post-operation, and 72 hours post-operation. Serum metabolomics analysis was conducted to identify characteristic metabolites associated with the EA-induced promotion of gastrointestinal recovery.
RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significantly earlier time to first anal exhaust, time to first anal defecation, time to first oral fluid intake, and time to first ambulation (<0.05). Compared with the control group, the pain VAS score at 72 hours post-operation was significantly lower in the treatment group (<0.05). Through serum metabolomics analysis, a total of 10 characteristic metabolic biomarkers associated with EA in alleviating postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction after gastric cancer operation were identified, including 1-Methylguanine and (2-Aminoethoxy) acetic acid.
CONCLUSION: EA can promote postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery in postoperative patients with gastric cancer. The underlying mechanism may be related to alleviation of inflammatory responses, improvement of gut microbiota composition, and stabilization of intestinal barrier function.
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