Electroacupuncture relieves Opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients: JAMA

The researchers have clarified that EA has no interference with opioid analgesia and is a good alternative for managing such patients suffering from chronic cancer pain.

Cancer patients treated with opioids have a high prevalence of OIC. There exists an unmet need for the availability of safe and effective therapies for such conditions.

The question here is,

“ Is EA efficacious and safe for managing OIC in adult cancer patients?”

Considering this background, researchers conducted randomised clinical trials at six tertiary hospitals in China. The researchers included 100 patients with cancer and opioid-induced constipation.

The study points are:

• There were 56 men and 44 women in the study, with a mean age of 64.4 years.
• There were two groups, EA (Electroacupuncture) and SA (Sham electroacupuncture).
• EA group received 30 min EA sessions at six acupoints thrice weekly for eight weeks.
• The SA group received 30 min SA sessions at six non-acupoints thrice weekly for eight weeks.
• The primary outcome measured was the proportion of overall responders, ≥ three spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) per week and an increase of ≥ 1 SBM from baseline.
• The intervention period was eight weeks.
• The proportion of overall responders at week 8 was 40.1% and 9 % in the EA and SA groups, respectively.
• The adverse events are rare, and if they occur, they are mild and transient.

The researchers finally said that EA provides more significant relief for most OIC symptoms and hence improves the life quality of such patients.

8-week EA treatment increases weekly bowel movements and is a good alternative.

Further reading:

Wang W, Liu Y, Yang X, et al. Effects of Electroacupuncture for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients With Cancer in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(2):e230310. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0310