Efficacy and Safety of Thread Embedding Acupuncture in Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Summary

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a very common disease nowadays. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the first-line treatment for this disease. However, the effectiveness of treatment with PPIs is still limited. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating this condition. Another treatment method is thread embedding acupuncture therapy, which is a method of burying threads into acupoints to create a more lasting stimulation than traditional acupuncture. This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of thread embedding acupuncture and standard dose pantoprazole compared with standard dose pantoprazole as monotherapy in adults.

Timeline

Start

2022-05-04

Primary completion

2022-07-20

Completion

2022-07-20

Publications

• Background Sakurai K, Suda H, Fujie S, Takeichi T, Okuda A, Murao T, Hasuda K, Hirano M, Ito K, Tsuruta K, Hattori M. Short-Term Symptomatic Relief in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Comparative Study of Esomeprazole and Vonoprazan. Dig Dis Sci. 2019 Mar;64(3):815-822. doi: 10.1007/s10620-018-5365-0. Epub 2018 Nov 10.
• Background Han G, Leem J, Lee H, Lee J. Electroacupuncture to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 May 17;17(1):246. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1371-8.
• Background Scholten T, Gatz G, Hole U. Once-daily pantoprazole 40 mg and esomeprazole 40 mg have equivalent overall efficacy in relieving GERD-related symptoms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Sep 15;18(6):587-94. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01745.x.
• Background Wong BC, Kinoshita Y. Systematic review on epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Apr;4(4):398-407. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2005.10.011.
• Background El-Serag H, Becher A, Jones R. Systematic review: persistent reflux symptoms on proton pump inhibitor therapy in primary care and community studies. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Sep;32(6):720-37. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04406.x.
• Background El-Serag HB, Sweet S, Winchester CC, Dent J. Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut. 2014 Jun;63(6):871-80. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269. Epub 2013 Jul 13.
• Background Fock KM, Talley N, Goh KL, Sugano K, Katelaris P, Holtmann G, Pandolfino JE, Sharma P, Ang TL, Hongo M, Wu J, Chen M, Choi MG, Law NM, Sheu BS, Zhang J, Ho KY, Sollano J, Rani AA, Kositchaiwat C, Bhatia S. Asia-Pacific consensus on the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an update focusing on refractory reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus. Gut. 2016 Sep;65(9):1402-15. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-311715. Epub 2016 Jun 3.
• Background Zhou Y, Ma HQ, Yang ZJ, Shao HT, Yue GL, Du GZ. [Comparative study on effect of electroacupuncture at lower he-sea point of stomach and he-sea matching front-mu points for gastroparesis]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2020 Sep 12;40(9):925-7. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191025-k0002. Chinese.
• Background Gyawali CP, Fass R. Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroenterology. 2018 Jan;154(2):302-318. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.07.049. Epub 2017 Aug 5.
• Background Gyawali CP, Kahrilas PJ, Savarino E, Zerbib F, Mion F, Smout AJPM, Vaezi M, Sifrim D, Fox MR, Vela MF, Tutuian R, Tack J, Bredenoord AJ, Pandolfino J, Roman S. Modern diagnosis of GERD: the Lyon Consensus. Gut. 2018 Jul;67(7):1351-1362. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314722. Epub 2018 Feb 3.
• Background Jones R, Junghard O, Dent J, Vakil N, Halling K, Wernersson B, Lind T. Development of the GerdQ, a tool for the diagnosis and management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Nov 15;30(10):1030-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04142.x. Epub 2009 Sep 8.
• Background Gao L, Chen B, Zhang Q, Zhao T, Li B, Sha T, Zou J, Guo Y, Pan X, Guo Y. Acupuncture with different acupoint combinations for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Nov 8;16(1):441. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1425-1.
• Background Shen J, Wenger N, Glaspy J, Hays RD, Albert PS, Choi C, Shekelle PG. Electroacupuncture for control of myeloablative chemotherapy-induced emesis: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2000 Dec 6;284(21):2755-61. doi: 10.1001/jama.284.21.2755.
• Background Ho CE, Goh YL, Zhao XX, Yu CY, Zhang C. GERD: An Alternative Perspective. Psychosomatics. 2016 Mar-Apr;57(2):142-51. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2015.10.007. Epub 2015 Oct 26.
• Background Hunt R, Armstrong D, Katelaris P, Afihene M, Bane A, Bhatia S, Chen MH, Choi MG, Melo AC, Fock KM, Ford A, Hongo M, Khan A, Lazebnik L, Lindberg G, Lizarzabal M, Myint T, Moraes-Filho JP, Salis G, Lin JT, Vaidya R, Abdo A, LeMair A; Review Team:. World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines: GERD Global Perspective on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2017 Jul;51(6):467-478. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000854. No abstract available.
• Background Huo J, Zhao J, Yuan Y, Wang J. [Research status of the effect mechanism on catgut-point embedding therapy]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2017 Nov 12;37(11):1251-4. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.2017.11.031. Chinese.
• Background Katz PO, Gerson LB, Vela MF. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013 Mar;108(3):308-28; quiz 329. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2012.444. Epub 2013 Feb 19. No abstract available.
• Background Quach DT, Pham QTT, Tran TLT, Vu NTH, Le QD, Nguyen DTN, Dang NLB, Le HM, Le NQ. Clinical characteristics and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Vietnamese patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy. JGH Open. 2021 Mar 26;5(5):580-584. doi: 10.1002/jgh3.12536. eCollection 2021 May.
• Background Shuai X, Xie P, Liu J, Xiang Y, Li J, Lan Y. Different effects of electroacupuncture on esophageal motility and serum hormones in cats with esophagitis. Dis Esophagus. 2008;21(2):170-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2050.2007.00757.x.
• Background Sun QH, Li TT, Huang MT, Wang MY, Xiao X, Bai XH. [Acupoint selection rules in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease with acupuncture in China based on data mining]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2020 Dec 12;40(12):1374-8. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191107-0003. Chinese.
• Background Wang C, Zhou DF, Shuai XW, Liu JX, Xie PY. Effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture at PC6 on frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in cats. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Sep 28;13(36):4873-80. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i36.4873.
• Background Wang XL, Lin GH, Xu N, Zeng JC, Xu DH, Wang SX. [Analysis of adverse reactions of acupoint catgut embedding therapy]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2020 Feb 12;40(2):193-6. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190316-k00034. Chinese.
• Background Weijenborg PW, Cremonini F, Smout AJ, Bredenoord AJ. PPI therapy is equally effective in well-defined non-erosive reflux disease and in reflux esophagitis: a meta-analysis. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Aug;24(8):747-57, e350. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2012.01888.x. Epub 2012 Feb 6.
• Background Yang J, Wang C. [Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli"(ST 36) can inhibit frequencies of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation induced by gastric distention in cats]. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2011 Dec;36(6):423-7. Chinese.
• Background Zachariah RA, Goo T, Lee RH. Mechanism and Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2020 Apr;30(2):209-226. doi: 10.1016/j.giec.2019.12.001. Epub 2020 Feb 5.
• Background Zhang XP, Jia CS, Wang JL, Shi J, Zhang X, Li XF, Xu XK, Qin L, Zhang ML, Kang SG, Duan XD. [Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy: superiorities and principles of application]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012 Oct;32(10):947-51. Chinese.
• Background Zhu J, Guo Y, Liu S, Su X, Li Y, Yang Y, Hou L, Wang G, Zhang J, Chen JJ, Wang Q, Wei R, Wei W. Acupuncture for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2017 Oct;35(5):316-323. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011205. Epub 2017 Jul 8.
• Background Zou D, Chen WH, Iwakiri K, Rigda R, Tippett M, Holloway RH. Inhibition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations by electrical acupoint stimulation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 Aug;289(2):G197-201. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00023.2005. Epub 2005 Apr 14.
• Results Luo Z, Hu X, Chen C, Zhu L, Zhang W, Shen Y, He J. Effect of Catgut Embedment in Du Meridian Acupoint on Mental and Psychological Conditions of Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Sep 22;2020:5415813. doi: 10.1155/2020/5415813. eCollection 2020.
• Trinh DT, Tran AH, Bui MP, Vuong NL. Thread-embedding acupuncture may improve symptom resolution in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: A randomized controlled trial. Integr Med Res. 2023 Sep;12(3):100971. doi: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.100971. Epub 2023 Jul 7.

Drugs

Indications