Acupuncture for Indigestion/Dyspepsia

Introduction Dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects approximately 25% of the global population. It is characterized by pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, nausea, and early satiety. Dyspepsia can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life and is often treated with medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine receptor antagonists (H2RAs). However, these medications can have side effects and are not always effective in managing dyspeptic symptoms. Acupuncture, an alternative therapy that involves the insertion of needles into specific points on the body, has been proposed as a potential treatment for dyspepsia. This report aims to review the evidence for acupuncture in the treatment of dyspepsia.

Findings Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified that evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of dyspepsia. The first RCT was conducted in the UK and involved 126 patients with functional dyspepsia. Patients were randomized to receive either traditional acupuncture (TA), sham acupuncture (SA), or no acupuncture (NA) for four weeks. TA involved the insertion of needles at traditional acupuncture points, while SA involved the insertion of needles at non-acupuncture points. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) score from baseline to week four. The NDI is a validated questionnaire that assesses the severity and impact of dyspeptic symptoms on daily life. The study found that TA was associated with a significant improvement in NDI score compared to SA and NA. The authors concluded that TA may be an effective treatment option for patients with functional dyspepsia.

The second RCT was conducted in the US and involved 40 patients with dyspepsia. Patients were randomized to receive either true acupuncture (TA) or sham acupuncture (SA) for four weeks. TA involved the insertion of needles at acupuncture points based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles, while SA involved the insertion of needles at non-acupuncture points. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Global Assessment of Treatment Efficacy (GATE) score from baseline to week four. The GATE is a validated questionnaire that assesses overall treatment efficacy from the patient’s perspective. The study found that TA was associated with a significantly greater improvement in GATE score compared to SA. The authors concluded that TA may be a safe and effective treatment option for dyspepsia.

The third RCT was conducted in Japan and involved 150 patients with functional dyspepsia. Patients were randomized to receive either acupuncture (AC), omeprazole (OM), or no treatment (NT) for four weeks. AC involved the insertion of needles at acupuncture points based on TCM principles, while OM involved the administration of 20mg of omeprazole daily. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) score from baseline to week four. The GSRS is a validated questionnaire that assesses the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms. The study found that both AC and OM were associated with a significant improvement in GSRS score compared to NT. However, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of improvement between AC and OM. The authors concluded that AC may be a viable alternative to OM for the treatment of functional dyspepsia.

Conclusion The three RCTs reviewed in this report provide evidence for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of dyspepsia. The UK study found that traditional acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture and no acupuncture in improving dyspeptic symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia. The US study found that true acupuncture was associated with a greater improvement in overall treatment efficacy compared