Transcutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation on Chemotherapy-Induced Constipation for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ting Mao; Xiangyu Liu; Qinqin Cheng; Yongyi Chen

doi:10.4103/2347-5625.311129

Transcutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation on Chemotherapy-Induced Constipation for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2021 Mar 12;8(4):385-392. doi: 10.4103/2347-5625.311129. eCollection 2021 Jul-Aug.

Authors

Ting Mao^{1

2}, Xiangyu Liu³, Qinqin Cheng⁴, Yongyi Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nursing, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
² Department of Palliative Care, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
³ Department of Health Service, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
⁴ Department of Pain Management, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
⁵ Department of Hospital Office, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Objective: Chemotherapy-induced constipation (CIC) adversely affects the quality of life of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) on CIC.

Methods: Sixty NSCLC patients who received chemotherapy at Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China, were assigned to the TAES (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group using Research Randomizer. In the TAES group, four acupoints, namely Tianshu, Quchi, Zusanli, and Shangjuxu, were stimulated six times a week, lasting for 4 weeks, while the control group received the usual care. The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) were used.

Results: Both the BSFS and CAS scores for the experimental group were significantly higher than that for the control group (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001 separately).

Conclusions: TAES was effective for alleviating constipation in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy and was a safe and practical nursing intervention.

Keywords: Chemotherapy-induced constipation; non-small cell lung cancer patients; transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation.