Title : Thread embedding acupuncture - a potential method in the treatment of GERD
Abstract:
Introduction: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is now one of the very common diseases, increasing and greatly affecting the quality of life. The treatment of GERD today remains a challenge. According to previous reports, after 4 weeks of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) treatment, up to 50% of patients who received empiric therapy were still symptomatic. Meanwhile, Traditional Medicine (TM) has many methods to treat in which method Thread Embedding Acupuncture (TEA) is applied similar to acupuncture but the effects last longer. Therefore we performed this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TEA in the treatment of GERD.
Methods: A single-blind RCT study was conducted in 66 GERD patients having GerdQ≥8 with a frequency of heartburn and/or regurgitation from 2 days/week, randomized into 2 groups including control and intervention group (33 participants per group). It has been designed according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT 2010) guidelines as well as the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). Both groups received standard treatment including PPI (pantoprazole 40mg once a day), antacid (use as needed), and lifestyle changes. The intervention group was added to method TEA every 2 weeks, using a chromic catgut thread embedded in 13 acupoints including Xiawan (CV-10), Zhongwan (CV-12), Shangwan (CV-13), and Zusanli (ST-36), Neiguan (PC-6), Geshu (BL-17), Ganshu (BL-18), Pishu (BL-20) in both sides of the body. All the treatment was given for 4 weeks. GERD questionnaire score (GerdQ), Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG), and TEA adverse effects were monitored for 4 weeks.
Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, the median GerdQ score from 11 (25th-75th quartile [IQR], 10-12) on the day of randomization in both groups decreased to 8 (IQR, 8-10) in the control group and 6 (IQR, 6-7) in the intervention group (p<0.0001). The intervention group resolved heartburn symptoms better with 78.8% (26/33) of patients no longer having heartburn, and 39.4% (13/33) for the control group (p=0.001). Similarly, the intervention group resolved 58.1% (18/31) regurgitation, 12.9% (7/33) for the control group (p=0.003). FSSG symptom score decreased sharply from mean (SD) 23.0 (5.9) to 2.2 (2.0), and the control group had a smaller decrease from 23.5 (6.1) to 11.5 (4.0) (p<0.0001). Side effects of concern accounted for 9.1% (3/33) including pain, local hematoma, local swelling, local itching, and local induration. Serious side effects 0%, most do not need treatment and leave no sequelae.
Conclusion: Thread embedding acupuncture combined with standard treatment brings high efficiency and safety to GERD patients. Intervention studies based on clinical pattern classification should be conducted.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- In this presentation, we will share information about our research on integrating Traditional medicine and Western medicine in the treatment of GERD, specifically using the Thread Embedding Acupuncture method (TEA) with chromic catgut thread embedded in acupoints.
- This study is the first study in Vietnam and a rare study in the world on the application of TEA in the treatment of GERD. It shows the high efficacy of TEA in combination with Western medicine for the treatment of GERD. In this case, it has great potential to replace traditional acupuncture and is extremely convenient because the patient only needs to come in for the TEA after 1-2 weeks.
- Besides, we will also share information about the technique of conducting our featured method - an effective, safe, convenient, and relatively inexpensive method.
