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Gastrointestinal motility disorders and acupuncture
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|April 6, 2010
Summary
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) show consistent effects on gastrointestinal motility. While promising for functional gastrointestinal diseases, further research is needed to confirm therapeutic roles.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Integrative Medicine
- Neurogastroenterology
Background:
- Numerous studies have explored acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility.
- Functional gastrointestinal diseases are often linked to motility disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate existing English-language studies on acupuncture/EA and GI motility.
- To organize findings by GI organ, motility component, and related functional diseases.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted.
- Included studies were reviewed and evaluated.
- Literature was organized by anatomical location and disease.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture/EA demonstrated consistent effects on GI motility, with ST36 and PC6 being key acupoints.
- Gastric motility has been extensively studied, unlike small and large intestinal motility.
- Clinical studies on functional GI diseases like IBS showed inconclusive results.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture and EA can modulate GI motility and improve related disorders.
- More rigorous studies are required to establish definitive therapeutic roles for EA in functional GI diseases.
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