Acupuncture for postprandial distress syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot trial

Acupunct Med. 2020 Oct;38(5):301-309. doi: 10.1177/0964528419900911. Epub 2020 Feb 7.

Abstract

Background: Evidence for treating postprandial distress syndrome with acupuncture is limited.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of verum acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in patients with postprandial distress syndrome.

Methods: A total of 42 eligible patients were randomly allocated to either verum acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups in a 1:1 ratio. Each patient received 12 sessions over 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the response rate based on the overall treatment effect (OTE) 4 weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes included dyspepsia symptom severity and adverse events.

Results: In each group, 19 patients (91.5%) completed the study. Thirteen patients receiving verum acupuncture and seven patients receiving sham acupuncture were classified as responders according to OTE (61.9% vs 33.3%; rate difference 28.6%; p = 0.06). Dyspepsia symptom severity at the end of treatment also differed significantly between verum acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups (5.9 units vs 3.7 units; between-group difference 2.2 (95% CI, 0.2-4.2); p = 0.04). No serious adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: Four weeks of acupuncture may represent a potential treatment for postprandial distress syndrome. The treatment protocol and outcome measures used in this trial were feasible. Since this was a pilot study, the efficacy of acupuncture still needs to be determined by a larger, adequately powered trial.

Keywords: acupuncture; clinical trial; dyspepsia symptom severity; gastroenterology; post-prandial distress syndrome.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dyspepsia / psychology
  • Dyspepsia / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult