The effect of anti-nausea wristbands and STW-5 in children suffering from dyspepsia - a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot-study.

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is common in children and refers to discomfort in the epigastric/duodenal region, which cannot be explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. Since the pathophysiology is still not fully understood, no guidelines in terms of treatment do exist.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutical effect of plant extracts (STW-5) and acupressure in children with functional dyspepsia.

METHODS

This is a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Before and after the allocated intervention of four weeks, participants had to fill in a cross-cultural validated questionnaire consisting of 52 questions to assess quality of life, as well as the extent of their discomfort (using a standardized visual analog scale (VAS)).

RESULTS

33 patients were included in the study: 12 male and 21 female with an average age of 12.09 years (range: 7-17 years). Symptoms improved after four weeks of intervention in most treatment-groups: By 68% in children, who received STW-5, by 40% in the wristband (WB)- group and by 35% in the wrist-band-Placebo-group (WBPL). Patients receiving STW-5- Placebo showed even an increase of symptoms.

DISCUSSION: This double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study showed, that STW-5 and/or anti-nausea wristbands are a cheap and effective option to treat children and teenagers suffering from functional dyspepsia.