Insights & Discussion
Positive effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture were observed in regulating gastric motility, gastric accommodation, mental status, gastrointestinal hormones, and central and autonomic functions while improving dyspeptic symptoms and quality of life.
In this systematic review, we pooled randomized controlled trials with mechanistic investigations of acupuncture or electroacupuncture in improving dyspeptic symptoms, and illustrated the existing results that may provide potential explanations for the therapeutic effects. The findings of included studies in this review suggest that acupuncture and electroacupuncture can improve gastric motility and accommodation, regulate gastrointestinal hormones and mental status, and alter certain central and autonomic functions in patients with functional dyspepsia. However, due to limitations in the included articles, high-quality studies with well-planned designs and multiregional investigations are necessary to provide more convincing and credible evidence.
Discover Related Insights
Bicarbonate-rich mineral water “Staatl. Fachingen STILL” significantly reduces heartburn more effectively than placebo, improving patients’ quality of life.
2023 BMJ Open Gastroenterology Heartburn relief with bicarbonate-rich mineral water: results of the randomised, placebo-controlled phase-III trial STOMACH STILL Labenz J, Anschütz M, Walstab J, Wedemeyer RS, Wolters H, Schug B
Randomised Controlled Trial GERD Mineral Water
The STOMACH STILL trial, a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, assessed the effectiveness of Staatl. Fachingen STILL mineral water in relieving heartburn. Adult patients with frequent heartburn episodes for at least six months, but without severe reflux oesophagitis, were recruited. They consumed 1.5 liters per day of either the mineral water (verum) or placebo for six weeks. Primary endpoint was a reduction of at least five points in the Reflux Disease Questionnaire score for heartburn. Secondary endpoints included overall symptom reduction, health-related quality of life measures (QOLRAD), rescue medication intake, and safety/tolerability.
Of the 148 patients randomized, 143 completed the trial. The responder rate was significantly higher in the mineral water group (84.72%) compared to the placebo group (63.51%). Significant improvements were observed in the ‘heartburn’ dimension and overall Reflux Disease Questionnaire scores for the mineral water group. Additionally, three out of five Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia domains showed improvement: ‘food/drink problems,’ ‘emotional distress,’ and ‘vitality.’ The verum group also reported a decrease in rescue medication use. Only three patients experienced treatment-related adverse events. The study concluded that Staatl. Fachingen STILL mineral water is superior to placebo in relieving heartburn and enhancing health-related quality of life.
Xiao Yao San can improve symptoms and reduce recurrence rates in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction.
2022 Frontiers in Pharmacology Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine Xiao Yao San in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Liu Q, Shi Z, Zhang T, Jiang T, Luo X, Su X, et al.
Systematic Review Constipation Functional gastrointestinal disorders Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The paper's methodology involved a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found in seven databases, up until November 22, 2021. The trials, which totaled 48 all together, were included to determine the efficacy of Xiao-Yao-San in treating disorders of gut-brain interaction (previously known as functional gastrointestinal disorders). A range of measures, including therapeutic efficacy, symptom score, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score, Self-Rating Depression Scale score, and the recurrence rate, were analysed using both random-effects and fixed-effects models, as well as trial sequential analysis.
In terms of results, Xiao-Yao-San showed a marked improvement in the effective rate of managing disorders of gut-brain interaction compared to western drugs, both when used alone and in combination with western medicine. The paper also found the treatment notably reduced symptom scores, anxiety scores, and depression scores for patients with the disorder. Further, instances of recurrence were also reduced. Overall, Xiao-Yao-San was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials included in this analysis.
Chinese herbal medicine shows promising and safe outcomes in relieving functional dyspepsia symptoms and associated psychological disorders.
2022 Frontiers in Neuroscience Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Dyspepsia With Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Luo X, Wang L, Fang S, Qing X, Jiang T, Yang Y, et al.
Systematic Review Anxiety Chinese Herbal Medicine Depression
The methodology for this research involved a comprehensive search across various libraries and databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and various Chinese data sources, seeking randomized controlled trials where functional dyspepsia was treated with Chinese herbal medicine. The aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of this type of treatment for functional dyspepsia. Two researchers independently conducted each stage of the process, from searching the sources, screening the documents, extracting data, and assessing risk biases within the included studies. They used RevMan 5.4 software to do a meta-analysis of the selected research materials.
The discussion of their findings showed that treatment with Chinese herbal medicine significantly alleviated the symptoms of functional dyspepsia, compared to both a placebo group and a group treated with traditional prokinetic agents and flupentixol melitracen. Patients treated with Chinese herbal medicine reported higher total effective rates and lower total symptom scores, along with smaller depression and anxiety scores. The symptoms of functional dyspepsia, in this case, were improved more successfully with Chinese herbal medicine than with other treatment types, without any significant adverse reactions.
Alginate, as a treatment option for laryngopharyngeal reflux, is equally effective as proton pump inhibitors and may serve as a potential alternative treatment.
2022 European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Magnesium alginate versus proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial Pizzorni N, Ambrogi F, Eplite A, Rama S, Robotti C, Lechien J, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Alginate GERD Magnesium
Researchers employed a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial with fifty participants, all of whom exhibited laryngopharyngeal symptoms. They were divided into two treatment groups; one group received the alginate suspension Gastrotuss in three daily doses, while the other was administered Omeprazole once daily. The Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score were used to measure the severity of symptoms both before the treatment and after the two-month treatment period.
It was found that both groups had similar Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score values initially. After the two-month treatment, both groups demonstrated significant decrease in these indices, suggesting that the symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux were significantly reduced, regardless of the treatment given. The difference between the changes in both Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score from the two groups was found to be insignificant, thereby indicating that the effectiveness of Alginate is non-inferior to Proton Pump Inhibitors.
Ginger, peppermint and caraway oil combination showed strong effectiveness in managing upper gastrointestinal complaints, with melatonin and marine alginate demonstrating moderate evidence.
2022 Nutrients Effectiveness of Nutritional Ingredients on Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions and Symptoms: A Narrative Review Schulz RM, Ahuja NK, Slavin JL
Review Article Alginate Caraway GERD
The methodology consisted of a literature review of the scientific studies pertaining to nutritional ingredients for upper gastrointestinal relief. The selection was based on recurring mentions within the literature and frequent appearance in consumer products. A predefined search for specific nutritional ingredients and terms related to upper GI health was conducted in five databases - Embase, Medline, Derwent drug file, ToXfile, and PubMed. A manual search was also undertaken for each ingredient to ensure comprehensive review.
The studies that gained inclusion encompassed 16 human clinical trials assessing nine different ingredients. The products investigated were divided into categories, including botanicals - with sub-categories of fiber and combinations, and non-botanical extracts. Several products demonstrated good potential, others showed promising but moderate results, while some had limited support from the scientific research.
Sign In
Users not signed in are limited to viewing the 5 most recent items of content.