The role of acupuncture in the treatment of orthodontic patients with a gagging reflex: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to investigate two different acupuncture approaches in the treatment of orthodontic patients with a gagging reflex (GR). Forty-five patients (mean age 10.1 + or - 2.6 years) had an upper dental alginate impression taken prior to receiving laser stimulation. GR assessment was evaluated by using the Gagging Severity Index (GSI). Fifteen patients in Group A underwent a red-light soft magnetic field laser stimulation of conception vessel 24 (CV 24) for 1 min. Fifteen other patients in Group B undertook a combination of laser stimulation of CV 24 and acupressure pericardium 6 (PC 6). Group C, which consisted of the remaining 15 patients, formed the placebo group. After the laser stimulation and acupressure, a second impression was taken. The Gagging Prevention Index (GPI) was used to evaluate gagging reflex after the laser stimulation and acupressure. Both GSI and GPI were recorded at three stages of the dental impression taking procedure, ie with an empty impression tray, with a loaded tray and the ability to keep the impression in the mouth until set. A significant decrease in GPI values compared to GSI values, was observed at the three stages of the impression taking process and after the laser stimulation in Group A and B (p <0.05). The average improvement between the GSI and GPI scores was 58.9% before and after the laser stimulation in Group B 37.9% in Group A and 11.2% in Group C. Both acupuncture points CV 24 and PC 6 were found to be effective in controlling GR in orthodontic patients.