OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of routine plus mental-regulating acupoints on the head for post-operative gastroparesis syndrome.

METHODS: Twenty patients were randomized into treatment group and control group, with 10 cases in each. For patients in the control group, transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation (TENS) of Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21) and Sanjiaoshu (BL 22) was given for 20 min, followed by acupuncture of Neiguan (PC 6), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV6), Tianshu (ST 25), etc., plus abdominal TDP irradiation and pellet-pressure of otopoints; Wei (MA-IC), Jiaogan (MA-AH 7), Neifenmi (MA-IC 3), Sanjiao (MA-IC 4), Pizhixia (MA-AT 1), etc. For patients of the treatment group, in addition to the treatment mentioned above, acupoints Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (EX-HN 3) and scalp-point Weiqu (Stomach Area) for adjusting the mental activity were punctured. The treatment was conducted once daily, 5 times a week and continuously for 4 weeks. Changes of the psychological status including Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores, and gastric drainage volume/d were recorded. Results In comparison with pre-treatment, the HAMD and HAMA scores of both the treatment group and the control group after the treatment were decreased significantly (P < 0.01), and the therapeutic effects of the treatment group in reducing HAMD and HAMA scores were evidently superior to those of the control group (both P < 0.05). The gastric drainage volume/d in the two groups both decreased after the treatment. Of the two 10 cases in the treatment and control groups, 10 and 8 were cured, 0 and 2 were improved. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the therapeutic effect (P > 0.05), but the treatment sessions of the treatment and control groups were 7.3 +/- 1.3 and 10.4 +/- 2.1, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Mental activity-adjusting acupoints plus routine acupuncture (TENS, TDP irradiation and o-to-point-pellet pressure) can effectively improve post-surgical gastroparesis patients' psychological status and raise clinical therapeutic effect.

PMID: 21375022

[Observation on therapeutic effect of routine acupoints plus mental activity-adjusting acupoints in the treatment of post-surgical gastroparesis syndrome].