HUCM University researchers find acupuncture effective for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (indigestion). Results from the investigation demonstrate that acupuncture is effective for alleviating upper abdominal pain and burning, nausea, and belching. In a semi-protocolized clinical trial, two primary acupuncture points were proven effective for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (abdominal discomfort or pain with no known organic cause identifiable with endoscopy).
Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture techniques were used to obtain treatment success. The total effective rates were 91.3% for upper abdominal pain, 90.62% for postprandial excess fullness, 95.45% for premature fullness, 93.33% for upper abdominal burning sensations, 87.5% for postprandial nausea, and 83.33% for belching. [1] This is significantly greater than scores in the sham acupuncture control group, which were never greater than 42.86% for any parameter.
Acupuncture Procedure Acupuncture points were applied unilaterally and sides were alternated every acupuncture session. Huatuo brand disposable acupuncture needles were used. All points were manually stimulated with a mild reinforcing and attenuating technique to achieve deqi.
Electroacupuncture was applied with a disperse-dense setting and the frequencies alternated between 2 Hz and 100 Hz at a 0.1–1.0 mA amplitude (based on patient tolerance levels) to all needles. Total needle retention time was 30 minutes per each acupuncture session. Acupuncture was applied daily for a total of five acupuncture treatments comprising one course of care followed by a two day break. Four courses of treatment were administered to each patient.
For the treatment of upper abdominal pain, the true acupuncture group outperformed the control group by 56.93%. For postprandial excess fullness, the acupuncture group outperformed the control group by 55.33%. For premature fullness, the acupuncture group outperformed the control group by 57.36%. For upper abdominal burning, the acupuncture group outperformed the control group by 64.76%. For postprandial nausea, the acupuncture group outperformed the sham acupuncture control group by 47.5%. For belching, the acupuncture group outperformed the control group by 40.47%.
In related research, investigators find acupuncture more effective than the drug mosapride for the treatment of abdominal pain and discomfort due to indigestion. Specifically, acupuncture outperformed mosapride for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. [4] The results were confirmed by electrogastrogram and other instruments.
The combination of Gongsun and Neiguan “significantly relieved clinical symptoms such as abdominal distention and discomfort after eating, early satiety, upper abdominal pain, and upper abdominal burning sensation.” The researchers note that “acupuncture outperformed drugs in regulating EGG dominant frequency as well as slow wave frequency.” They add, “compared with the drug group, the acupuncture group showed a significant difference in FDDQL scores.” [5]