Objective To observe the efficacy of acupuncture on symptom burden in patients with gastric cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy after gastrectomy. Methods A total of 58 patients were randomized into a high-dose acupuncture group（19 cases

5 cases dropped off）

a low-dose acupuncture group（20 cases

6 cases dropped off） and a control group（19 cases

2 cases dropped off）. Conventional chemotherapy and antiemetic treatment were adopted in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group

acupuncture was applied 7 times each chemotherapy cycle for totally 21 times in the high-dose acupuncture group

and 3 times each chemotherapy cycle for totally 9 times in the low-dose acupuncture group. Baihui（GV 20）

Zusanli（ST 36）

Neiguan（PC 6）

etc. were selected in the two acupuncture groups

as well as back-shu points selected by the meridian heat sensing technique. Electroacupuncture was connected to ipsilateral Zusanli（ST 36） and Neiguan（PC 6）

with continuous wave

2 Hz in frequency for 20 min. The Edmonton symptom assessment system（ESAS） score was observed on day 1-7

14

and 21 of each cycle of chemotherapy respectively in the 3 groups. Results The symptom burden was worst within 7 days of each cycle of chemotherapy in the 3 groups. After the 3rd chemotherapy cycle

the total score of ESAS in the low-dose acupuncture group was lower than the control group（P<0.05）

the total score and the scores of feeling of non-well being

pain and shortness of breath of ESAS in the acupuncture group（the high-dose acupuncture group combined with the low-dose acupuncture group） were lower than the control group（P<0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture shows promising effect in controlling symptom burden during adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.