RESUMO
Objective To investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36),Taichong(LR3) and Hegu(LI4) points combined with three-step analgesic ladder for the treatment of gastric cancer pain.Methods Sixty patients with moderate and severe pain induced by gastric cancer were randomly divided into study group and control group,30 cases in each group.The study group was treated with acupuncture at Zusanli,Taichong and Hegu points combined with three-step analgesic ladder for gastric cancer pain management,and the control group was treated with three-step analgesic ladder only.After treatment for 7 days,the clinical effectiveness was evaluated with the average pain scores of Numerical Rating Scale(NRS),Quality of Life Scale(QOL-BREF by WHO),Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS).And the incidence of adverse reaction was also observed.Results (1) After treatment,the markedly-effective analgesic rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).(2) After treatment,QOL scores of both groups were much improved as compared with those before treatment(P ＜ 0.05),and the improvement of the study group was superior to that of the control group(P ＜0.05).(3) The depression scores of both groups were much improved after treatment (P ＜ 0.05 compared with those before treatment),but the difference between the two groups was insignificant(P ＞ 0.05).(4) The incidence of adverse reaction of the study group was lower than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The effect of acupuncture at Zusanli,Taichong and Hegu points combined with three-step analgesic ladder is better than three step analgesic ladder alone for the treatment of gastric cancer pain.