Objective

2

To observe the effect of acupuncture on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on the "heart-stomach connection" theory

and to explore its possible mechanisms.

Methods

2

Seventy patients with GERD were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (35 cases

2 cases dropped out) and a medication group (35 cases

1 case dropped out). The patients in the acupuncture group received acupuncture at bilateral Shenmen (HT 7)

Neiguan (PC 6)

Burong (ST 19)

Tianshu (ST 25)

Zusanli (ST 36)

Gongsun (SP 4)

and Zhongwan (CV 12)

with needles retained for 30 min

every other day

three times a week. The patients in the medication group were treated with oral omeprazole capsules

once daily

20 mg each time. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment

the GERD questionnaire (GERDQ)

GERD-quality of life scale (GERD-QOL)

Hamilton depression scale-24 (HAMD-24)

Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS)

and Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores were observed. Serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones (gastrin [GAS]

motilin [MTL]

and vasoactive intestinal peptide [VIP]) were measured

and the clinical efficacy of both groups was evaluated. Correlation between pre-treatment GERDQ score and GERD-QOL score

HAMD-24 score

SDS score

and SAS score was analyzed.

Results

2

After treatment

the scores of GERDQ

HAMD-24

SDS

and SAS were decreased (

P

<

0.001) and the scores of GERD-QOL were increased (

P

<

0.001)

serum levels of GAS and MTL were increased (

P

<

0.001) in both groups

while the serum level of VIP in the acupuncture group was decreased (

P

<

0.001) compared with those before treatment. The acupuncture group had higher GERD-QOL score and lower SAS score than the medication group (

P

<

0.05)

with lower serum VIP level (

P

<

0.05). The total effective rate was 75.8% (25/33) in the acupuncture group

and 76.5% (26/34) in the medication group

with no significant difference between the two groups (

P

>

0.05). GERDQ score was negatively correlated with GERD-QOL scores (

r

=-0.762

P

<

0.01) and positively correlated with HAMD-24 score

SDS score

and SAS score (

r

=0.709

0.649

0.689

P

<

0.01) before treatment.

Conclusion

2

Based on the "heart-stomach connection" theory

acupuncture could effectively improve clinical symptoms

quality of life

and negative emotions in patients with GERD. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone levels

thereby promoting the contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter.