Published online May 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.115921
Revised: December 27, 2025
Accepted: February 2, 2026
Published online: May 27, 2026
Processing time: 187 Days and 4.8 Hours
This investigation assessed whether combining acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) and Gongsun (SP4) with standard pharmacotherapy could enhance treatment outcomes and safety profiles in gastric cancer patients experiencing postoperative functional dyspepsia (FD).
To determine whether adjunctive PC6 and SP4 acupuncture improves symptom severity and gastrointestinal hormone profiles in gastric cancer patients with postoperative FD.
Clinical records from 120 gastric cancer patients who developed FD following surgery were retrospectively examined (January 2022 to June 2025). Two equal cohorts of 60 patients each were established based on their treatment protocols. The intervention cohort underwent bilateral electroacupuncture stimulation at PC6 and SP4 (sparse-dense wave pattern, 2/15 Hz frequency, 30-minute sessions) alongside domperidone administration-treatments occurred daily for five con
The percentage of patients achieving treatment success was 91.7% in the intervention group and significantly higher than 73.3% in controls (P < 0.01). After the four-week treatment period, the acupuncture group had significantly greater NDI score reductions than controls (P < 0.025), and their GSRS measurements dropped well below control levels (P < 0.017). Likewise, symptom assessments with TCM were significantly more improved in the intervention arm (P < 0.017). Neither group exhibited significant variation in serum concentrations of interferon-γ, interleukin-2, or functional myelin-associated glycoprotein as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
PC6 and SP4 acupuncture combined with routine medication have a significant clinical therapeutic effect on postoperative FD in patients with gastric cancer. This synergistic strategy alleviates vague dyspeptic symptoms, and restores gastrointestinal hormone equilibrium.
Core Tip: Functional dyspepsia (FD) occurs frequently after gastric cancer surgery and has a significant negative impact on postoperative recovery. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) and Gongsun (SP4) points, combined with domperidone treatment in 120 patients following gastrectomy. Compared to medical treatment alone, the combination treatment enhanced clinical response rates and scores of Nepean Dyspepsia Index and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale for symptoms of dysmotility, as well as serum motilin and gastrin levels within normal ranges. Our results demonstrated that PC6-SP4 acupuncture improves gastric electrical rhythm and gastroenteropancreatic hormone homeostasis, which can provide clinically meaningful complementary and adjunctive therapeutic benefit in the treatment of FD after gastrectomy.