{"title":"Auricular acupoint therapy for functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.","authors":"Meng-Yuan Shen, Ze-Jiong Li, Shu-Han Wang, Tian-Chen Lin, Qin-Yi Lou, Shan Liu, Dan-Dan Feng, Dong-Dong Yang, Chen-Juan Wang, Zhe-Kai Ying, Rong Zhou, Jian-Nong Wu","doi":"10.3389/fmed.2025.1513272","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupoint therapy (AAT) for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a thorough search across eight databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM. The search covered the period from the inception of each database up to June 30, 2024. The authors independently reviewed all the references, evaluated the risk of bias, and extracted the data. GRADEpro software was utilized to calculate overall strength of evidence. A random effects or fixed effects model was selected on the basis of the <i>p</i>-value and <i>I<sup>2</sup></i> . RevMan 5.3, Stata/MP 18.0, R 4.3.1 and R Studio 2023.09.0 were used for data processing. TSA 0.9.5.10 beta software was used to evaluate data stability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review included 19 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,681 patients (895 in the treatment group and 886 in the control group). The treatment duration ranged from 2-12 weeks. The meta-analysis revealed that, compared with the control, AAT was significantly more effective at treating FGIDs (RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21-1.51; <i>p</i> < 0.001), reducing the symptom score (MD: -1.94; 95% CI: -3.06 to -0.85; <i>p</i> < 0.001; five trials), improving the SAS score (MD: -12.47; 95% CI: -13.92 to -11.01; <i>p</i> < 0.001; five trials), and improving the SDS score (MD: -4.97; 95% CI: -9.23 to -0.72; <i>p</i> = 0.02; six trials). A total of two articles mentioned relatively significant adverse reactions (MD: 2.98; 95% CI: 0.51-17.26; <i>p</i> = 0.009). Sensitivity and trial sequential analyses confirmed the stability of these results.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>While our meta-analysis suggests that AAT may offer benefits for FGIDs, these results must be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations in the included trials. Further investigations in high-quality trials are warranted.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier CRD42024558786.</p>","PeriodicalId":12488,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"1513272"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11962017/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1513272","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupoint therapy (AAT) for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).
Methods: We conducted a thorough search across eight databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM. The search covered the period from the inception of each database up to June 30, 2024. The authors independently reviewed all the references, evaluated the risk of bias, and extracted the data. GRADEpro software was utilized to calculate overall strength of evidence. A random effects or fixed effects model was selected on the basis of the p-value and I2 . RevMan 5.3, Stata/MP 18.0, R 4.3.1 and R Studio 2023.09.0 were used for data processing. TSA 0.9.5.10 beta software was used to evaluate data stability.
Results: The review included 19 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,681 patients (895 in the treatment group and 886 in the control group). The treatment duration ranged from 2-12 weeks. The meta-analysis revealed that, compared with the control, AAT was significantly more effective at treating FGIDs (RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21-1.51; p < 0.001), reducing the symptom score (MD: -1.94; 95% CI: -3.06 to -0.85; p < 0.001; five trials), improving the SAS score (MD: -12.47; 95% CI: -13.92 to -11.01; p < 0.001; five trials), and improving the SDS score (MD: -4.97; 95% CI: -9.23 to -0.72; p = 0.02; six trials). A total of two articles mentioned relatively significant adverse reactions (MD: 2.98; 95% CI: 0.51-17.26; p = 0.009). Sensitivity and trial sequential analyses confirmed the stability of these results.
Discussion: While our meta-analysis suggests that AAT may offer benefits for FGIDs, these results must be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations in the included trials. Further investigations in high-quality trials are warranted.
期刊介绍：
Frontiers in Medicine publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research linking basic research to clinical practice and patient care, as well as translating scientific advances into new therapies and diagnostic tools. Led by an outstanding Editorial Board of international experts, this multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, clinicians and the public worldwide.
In addition to papers that provide a link between basic research and clinical practice, a particular emphasis is given to studies that are directly relevant to patient care. In this spirit, the journal publishes the latest research results and medical knowledge that facilitate the translation of scientific advances into new therapies or diagnostic tools. The full listing of the Specialty Sections represented by Frontiers in Medicine is as listed below. As well as the established medical disciplines, Frontiers in Medicine is launching new sections that together will facilitate
- the use of patient-reported outcomes under real world conditions
- the exploitation of big data and the use of novel information and communication tools in the assessment of new medicines
- the scientific bases for guidelines and decisions from regulatory authorities
- access to medicinal products and medical devices worldwide
- addressing the grand health challenges around the world
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