A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Chinese medicine acupoint application on gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy
Journal Title: TMR Non-Drug Therapy - Year 2020, Vol 3, Issue 4
Abstract
Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the common complications of appendectomy, which seriously affects the postoperative recovery and clinical prognosis. Through traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application is suggested for managing postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, supporting evidence is weak. Here, the prospective randomized placebo-controlled study was designed to provide high-level evidence regarding whether traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application is effective on the gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy. Methods: A total of 60 patients who underwent appendectomy in Dongfang Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China) from November 2016 to December 2017 were selected as study objects and randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and observation group (n = 30). Based on routine postoperative care, the acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Yongquan (KI1) were selected. The control group was given acupoint application of traditional Chinese medicine placebo and the observation group was given acupoint application of clinical empirical Chinese medicine called Wentongliqi prescription. The course of treatment was performed on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after appendectomy, once a day and 4 hours each time. The primary outcome includes the time until the recovery time of bowel sounds (h), the first postoperative flatus (h) and first bowel movement time (h) on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after appendectomy. The secondary outcome includes clinical symptom score, life ability score and adverse reactions were observed and recorded on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after appendectomy. Results: After treatment, the recovery time of intestinal sound in the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant difference between the two groups in first anal exhaust time and first bowel movement time, clinical symptom scores and life ability scores between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint application therapy has limited effect on the recovery of gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy. Further study with large sample size is needed to confirm its therapeutic effects.
Authors and Affiliations
Hong Chen1*, Yi-Yuan Liu2 ,Yu-Tao Wang3 ,Cheng-Cheng Yang3 ,Xiu-Qin Xu2 ,Hai-Rong Hu2 ,Yun-Lan Jiao2 ,Xing-Tong Bao4 ,Ling Tang2
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A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Chinese medicine acupoint application on gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy
Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the common complications of appendectomy, which seriously affects the postoperative recovery and clinical prognosis. Through traditional Chinese medicine acupo...