Effect of warm acupuncture and acupoint massage on postoperative gastrointestinal function in gastric cancer surgery patients: A meta-analysis.

This study seeks to systematically assess the effects of warm acupuncture combined with acupoint massage on the recovery of gastrointestinal function following gastric cancer surgery. To evaluate the impact of warm acupuncture combined with acupoint massage on postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery after gastric cancer surgery, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, for relevant studies published up to January 2025. Meta-analyses were carried out using RevMan 5.4, with results presented as standardized mean difference (SMD) or odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). Study heterogeneity was evaluated using the I 2 statistic, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the stability of the findings. A total of 8 randomized controlled trials involving 694 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that warm acupuncture combined with acupoint massage significantly improved postoperative gastrointestinal function by reducing the time to first flatus (SMD = -2.14, 95%CI: -3.14 to -1.14, P < 0.0001), time to first bowel movement (SMD = -2.43, 95%CI: -3.52 to -1.34, P < 0.0001), time to bowel sounds recovery (SMD = -3.15, 95%CI: -4.50 to -1.80, P < 0.00001), and time to initiate nasogastric or jejunal feeding (SMD = -1.31, 95%CI: -2.44 to -0.18, P = 0.02). The combination of warm acupuncture and acupoint massage markedly enhances gastrointestinal recovery following surgery.