RCT | Electroacupuncture may improve opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer

Summary: The study was a randomized clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with cancer pain. The trial included 100 patients with cancer and OIC who were randomly assigned to receive either EA or sham electroacupuncture (SA) for 24 sessions over 8 weeks. The study found that the proportion of overall responders was greater with EA (40,1%) than with SA (9,0%) at week 8, suggesting that EA treatment could be a safe and effective alternative for managing OIC in adult cancer patients. However, the trial’s limitations, such as the wide heterogeneity of cancer patients, the self-reported diary measurements, and the inability to blind acupuncturists, should be considered. Additionally, it’s worth noting that more patients in the EA group guessed that they received actual EA treatment compared to those who received SA (46 vs 22 patients).

Article: Effects of Electroacupuncture for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients With Cancer in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA Network Open

Commentary on Twitter

RCT: Electroacupuncture (EA) could alleviate opioid-induced constipation in adult cancer patients with a good safety profile. EA may be considered as an alternative treatment for opioid-induced constipation. https://t.co/zywl2A14ij pic.twitter.com/9RhSVaZVSJ

— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) February 22, 2023