A study of the effect of combination of acupuncture and Chinese medicine (Ban Xia Xie Xin Decoction) on patients with sepsis-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture and Ban Xia Xie Xin Decoction (BXXXD) in patients with sepsis-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction.Methods: A total of 100 patients with sepsis and gastrointestinal dysfunction admitted to our hospitalfrom June 2019 to December 2020 were randomly assigned to a control group and a study group for a retrospective analysis. Both groups received acupuncture treatment, while BXXXD was given to the study group, in addition to acupuncture. Treatment effectiveness, incidence of adverse reactions, degree of recurrence at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment, gastrointestinal dysfunction scores after 1week of treatment, quality of life index (QLI) scores, frequencies of flatulence and defecation within 48 h, number of bowel rumblings, as well as levels of gastrin and  cholecystokinin (CCK), were determined and compared between the two groups.Results: The group with BXXXD intervention demonstrated superior treatment effectiveness, QLI cores, frequencies of flatulence and defecation within 48 h, number of bowel rumblings, and level of gastrin than those who received only acupuncture treatment (p < 0.05). There was strong evidence of lower incidence of adverse reactions, recurrence at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment; gastrointestinal dysfunction scores and CCK levels after 1 week of treatment was higher in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The combination of acupuncture and BXXXD is superior to acupuncture alone in sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction. The combination therapy produces its effect by decreasing clinical symptoms, promoting recovery of the patients, and elevating their quality of life.