Acupuncture and moxibustion regulation for post-chemotherapy gastric motility

Objective To observe the regulation of acupuncture and moxibustion for gastric motility of patients who experienced vomiting following chemotherapy. Methods Apply warm needling, needling alone and suspended moxibustion to Zusanli (ST 36) and observe the changes in gastric electric frequency spectrum, waveform, frequency and wave amplitude. Results Acupuncture obtained better immediate effects than warm needling and moxibustion. However, warm needling obtained better lasting effects than needling and moxibustion. Conclusion Different acupuncture and moxibustion methods can produce different immediate and lasting effects. It is advisable to employ individualized methods in clinical practice. Regarding regulation for post-chemotherapy gastric motility, acupuncture and moxibustion in early stage chemotherapy can produce better results than in late stage.