The Effect of Acupuncture for Inhibition of Gastric Peristalsis during Gastroscopy-A Pilot Study- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

[Objective] It is necessary to administer anti-cholinergic agents or glucagon during gastroscopy for inhibition of gastric peristalsis. However, application of these drugs are limited in patients with glaucoma, hypertension, benign prostate hyperplasia, heart disease, or diabetes mellitus because of possible adverse events.<BR>Based on the report that acupuncture stimulation at CV 12 (Zhonguan, Chukan) inhibited gastric activity, we studied whether the acupuncture at CV 12 could be applicable as an alternative to these drugs.<BR>[Method] Subjects in the present study were 60 patients who underwent gastroscopy at Meiji University of Oriental Medicine Hospital. They were allocated into two groups; acupuncture group (mean [SD] age, 66 [10]) and drug group (mean [SD] age, 64 [13])<BR>Patients in the acupuncture group were given manual stimulation at CV 12 with an acupuncture needle for 10 minutes before examination and during gastroscopy.<BR>After examination, a gastroscopist evaluated the magnitude of the peristalsis and disturbance during the examination using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and a 4-grade categorical scale.<BR>Patients in the drug group were pre-administered anti-cholinergic drug or glucagon, and evaluated with the same scale.<BR>[Results and Discussion] Inhibition score in the acupuncture group was lower but not statistically significant, as compared with the drug group, and the effect of acupuncture stimulation was acceptable to allow examination of the patients without severe disturbance. <BR>Acupuncture may be a useful non-pharmacologic alternative to anti-cholinergic drugs and glucagon to inhibit gastric movement during gastroscopy, when these drugs could not be administered.