Buccal Acupuncture Alleviates Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Radical Resection of Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
10.1007/s11655-025-4128-y
- Author:
Zhi-Xin ZHU
1
;
Chen CHEN
1
;
Yong-Feng ZHENG
1
;
Wei-Li GONG
2
;
Zheng CHEN
1
;
Shi-Lei FANG
1
;
Dong-Hua SHAO
1
;
Cai-Xia SUN
3
,
4
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, China.
2. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, China.
3. Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, China. suncaixia_zj@
4. com.
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Chinese medicine;
acupuncture analgesia;
buccal acupuncture;
gastrointestinal cancers;
postoperative pain;
recovery quality
- MeSH:
Humans;
Male;
Pilot Projects;
Female;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*;
Pain, Postoperative/therapy*;
Middle Aged;
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery*;
Aged;
Acupuncture Points;
Adult
- From:
Chinese journal of integrative medicine
2025;31(6):558-565
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily investigate the effect of buccal acupuncture therapy on ameliorating postoperative pain and enhancing recovery quality among patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers.
METHODS:Fifty-two participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either the buccal acupuncture or the control group. The acupuncture protocol entailed targeting 5 predetermined acupoints [CA-2 (Upper jiao), CA-3 (Middle jiao), CA-4 (Lower jiao), CA-6 (back), and CA-7 (waist) and two adjustable acupoints [CA-1 (head) and CA-8 (sacrum)] on each side of the face. The outcomes included the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for each day within 7 days postoperatively, 15-Item Quality of Recovery Scale (QoR-15) scores, analgesics consumption during and after surgery, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and perioperative levels of interleukin-6 and glucose. Adverse events related to acupuncture were recorded.
RESULTS:Of the initial 52 participants, 46 completed the study and were included in the analysis. Findings indicated that the buccal acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced resting NRS scores in post-anesthesia care unit and throughout the postoperative phase (P=0.001 and P=0.003, respectively), along with enhanced QoR-15 scores on the 3rd postoperative day (P=0.008), compared to the control group. No notable differences were identified in the remaining indicators (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION:Buccal acupuncture therapy demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain and improving recovery quality for patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers, presenting a viable intervention without associated adverse outcomes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200060441).
