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[Acupuncture to alleviate pain during colonoscopy]
1Abteilung für Gastroenterologie und Endokrinologie, Universität Göttingen.
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|March 8, 1991
Summary
Acupuncture significantly reduced pain during colonoscopy procedures. Patients receiving acupuncture reported less pain sensitivity and required fewer analgesics and sedatives compared to control groups.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pain Management
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Colonoscopy is an essential diagnostic procedure.
- Pain and discomfort are common patient complaints during colonoscopy.
- Minimizing procedural pain can improve patient tolerance and compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing pain during colonoscopy.
- To compare pain levels and medication requirements between acupuncture and control groups.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 36 patients undergoing colonoscopy.
- Patients were assigned to three groups: true acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or no acupuncture.
- Acupuncture was performed at specific points (Hegu, Neiguan, Zusanli, Gongsun) bilaterally.
- Pain sensitivity was measured using a visual analog scale.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture group showed significantly lower mean pain sensitivity (1.4 +/- 0.4) compared to no acupuncture (2.7 +/- 0.3) and sham acupuncture (3.0 +/- 0.3) groups (P = 0.003).
- Fewer analgesics and sedatives were required in the acupuncture group (one patient each) compared to the no acupuncture (five analgesics, eight sedatives) and sham acupuncture (four analgesics, five sedatives) groups (P = 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Preceding acupuncture is an effective method for reducing pain associated with colonoscopy.
- Acupuncture may serve as a valuable non-pharmacological adjunct for improving patient comfort during endoscopic procedures.