Meta Analysis of the Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function in Patients with Gastric Cancer after Surgery

Article ID: 4757

Abstract

Objective: To collect the relevant literature on clinical comparative experiment and clinical randomized comparative experiment of acupuncture and moxibustion to restore gastrointestinal function after gastric cancer surgery in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases. Combined with systematic review and meta-analysis, this paper explores the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after gastric cancer surgery, and provides a basis for its clinical treatment. Methods: Through computer retrieval of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, relevant literature is obtained in accordance with inclusive and exclusive criteria and retrieval strategies. The literature search period is set from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2022. Performing meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software and evaluating the bias of the literature using the bias assessment module in Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0. Results: According to the search strategy, a preliminary search was conducted and 523 articles were retrieved. After screening, 17 articles were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Among the 17 included literature, 8 articles on the Rome II index were from 2000, and 5 articles were from 2002. There were 2 articles using the Rome III index from 2006, and 2 articles using gastroenterology. There were 12 and 5 articles, 6 articles, 8 articles, 5 articles, 5 articles, and 7 articles each with low risk of bias for random sequence generation, allocation concealment, implementation bias, measurement bias, follow-up bias, reporting bias, and other biases. The analysis of clinical efficacy showed that the total efficacy analysis was P=0.0001 and I² was 73%, indicating heterogeneity among the 8 articles with clinical efficacy as the outcome measure. After excluding sources of heterogeneity, the combined effect energy was 1.74, 95%CI =[1.65,1.89], and Z=5.76. The results of postoperative bowel sound recovery time showed that I²=92%, SMD value =-1.52, and 95%CI values =[-2.03, -1.02]. Postoperative first anal exhaust time: I²=96%, SMD=-11.57, 95%CI=[-14.76, -7.83]. First postoperative bowel movement time: I²=84%, SMD=-11.57, 95%CI=[-14.76, -7.83]. The heterogeneity among the three results mentioned above was significant (P<0.0001), and the discrepancies were obvious. Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with conventional treatment can promote the gastrointestinal functional recovery after gastric cancer surgery. However, due to the fact that most of the literature included in this study is at level B, there is a lack of high-quality literature support, so caution should be taken when approaching this conclusion.