Abstract

BACKGROUND: 

There is limited evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture in bowel dysfunction treatment.

OBJECTIVE: 

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the potential value of acupuncture in the treatment of low anterior resection syndrome.

DESIGN: 

This was an open-design pilot study.

SETTINGS: 

This was a single-center study.

PATIENTS: 

Nine (5 female) patients with major low anterior resection syndrome were included.

INTERVENTIONS: 

All patients underwent acupuncture by a trained specialist once a week for 10 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 

Bowel function was assessed by using the low anterior resection syndrome score and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center bowel function instrument before the procedure, just after finishing the course of acupuncture, and 6 months after the treatment.

RESULTS: 

The average age was 56.44 (50–65; SD ±5.4). Median age was 56 years. At the end of the procedure, all patients reported significant improvement in low anterior resection syndrome symptoms: the average low anterior resection syndrome score before acupuncture was 39 (±2.7), after acupuncture it was 30.3 (±10.6), and 6 months after acupuncture it was 7.22 (±10.244; p < 0.000). The average Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center bowel function instrument score before acupuncture was 55.33 (±11.55), after the procedure it was 60 (±14.97), and 6 months later it was 70.22 (±12.2; p < 0.000).

LIMITATIONS: 

The small sample size and the fact that this is a single-center nonblinded study are limitations of this work.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Acupuncture may be effective in low anterior resection syndrome treatment and needs further evaluation. The procedure is safe and feasible. See Video Abstract at https://links.lww.com/DCR/B700.

REGISTRATION: 

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03916549.