A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture versus sham/placebo acupuncture for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in cancer patients: Evidence from randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acupuncture has been found to be an effective treatment for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGD). Nonetheless, it remains uncertain if acupuncture possesses a placebo effect. This study compared the efficacy and safety of acupuncture against sham/placebo acupuncture for PGD in cancer.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the Central Register of Controlled Trials of 8 databases from database inception through August 31, 2024 for randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture therapy with sham/placebo acupuncture. Cochrane risk of bias tool (version 2 of the Cochrane risk of bias tool [RoB2]) was used to analyze risk of bias. Data analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.4, Stata 12.0 software was used to test the publication bias.

Results<

SUBMITTER: Zhu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12851784 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature