Huang Ai-Yun, Liang Jing, Tian Li-Ya, Yang Yang
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing University cancer hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China.
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing University cancer hospital, No. 181 Hanyu Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400030, China.
Discov Oncol. 2025 Aug 25;16(1):1610. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-03409-y.
The rising global incidence of cancer poses significant challenges for healthcare systems, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. This study involves a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of non-pharmacological traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions, such as acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion, in improving gastrointestinal function and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases up to March 13, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that involved the comparison of non-pharmacological TCM interventions with standard pharmacological treatments in adult patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Primary outcomes included the quality of life measured by the Karnofsky Performance Status scale, gastrointestinal function measured by complete response rates, and objective response rates. Data were analyzed using Bayesian network meta-analysis methods, with outcomes presented as odds ratios (OR) and mean differences (MD) along with 95% credible intervals (CrIs).
A total of 37 RCTs involving 3268 participants were included in the review. The findings highlighted the significant efficacy of specific TCM interventions. The top-ranked intervention for improving Karnofsky Performance Status scores was electroacupuncture at the Geshu point combined with medication, with a surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value of 80.3%. For complete response rates, a combination of acupuncture, auricular point sticking, and medication emerged as the most effective method, with a SUCRA value of 88.0%. Additionally, for enhancing objective response rates, the combination of moxibustion at the Zusanli point and medication was identified as the leading intervention, with a SUCRA value of 80.3%.
Non-pharmacological TCM interventions were effective in significantly improving gastrointestinal function and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy, representing modalities that viably complement standard pharmacological treatments. Our findings support the integration of these TCM practices into oncology care, emphasizing the need for further high-quality research to establish comprehensive clinical guidelines. This integrative strategy aligns with the principles of patient-centered care, promoting a more holistic approach to cancer treatment.
全球癌症发病率不断上升，给医疗系统带来了重大挑战，因此有必要探索新的治疗策略。本研究进行了系统评价和网络荟萃分析，以评估针刺、电针和艾灸等非药物中医干预措施在改善化疗患者胃肠功能和生活质量方面的疗效。
截至2024年3月13日，对多个数据库进行了全面检索，以识别在接受化疗的成年癌症患者中，比较非药物中医干预措施与标准药物治疗的随机对照试验（RCT）。主要结局包括用卡氏功能状态量表测量的生活质量、用完全缓解率测量的胃肠功能以及客观缓解率。使用贝叶斯网络荟萃分析方法对数据进行分析，结果以比值比（OR）和平均差（MD）以及95%可信区间（CrI）表示。
该评价共纳入37项RCT，涉及3268名参与者。研究结果突出了特定中医干预措施的显著疗效。改善卡氏功能状态评分排名第一的干预措施是膈俞穴电针联合药物治疗，累积排名曲线下面积（SUCRA）值为80.3%。对于完全缓解率，针刺、耳穴贴压和药物联合使用是最有效的方法，SUCRA值为88.0%。此外，为提高客观缓解率，足三里穴艾灸联合药物治疗被确定为主要干预措施，SUCRA值为80.3%。
非药物中医干预措施在显著改善化疗患者胃肠功能和生活质量方面有效，是对标准药物治疗的可行补充方式。我们的研究结果支持将这些中医疗法纳入肿瘤护理，强调需要进一步开展高质量研究以制定全面的临床指南。这种综合策略符合以患者为中心的护理原则，促进了更全面的癌症治疗方法。
