Electroacupuncture combined with nutritional intervention for gastrointestinal cancer-related sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial using ultrasonographic indices.

OBJECTIVE

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with nutritional intervention for cancer-related sarcopenia compared to nutritional intervention alone. Muscle thickness and elasticity were assessed using ultrasonography to calculate relevant parameters. By integrating these objective measures with conventional indicators and scales, this study aimed to provide a more comprehensive and intuitive evaluation of changes in muscle function, thereby offering a basis for the clinical application of electroacupuncture combined with nutritional intervention in the treatment of cancer-related sarcopenia.

METHODS

Seventy participants were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving nutritional intervention alone or an experimental group receiving electroacupuncture combined with nutritional intervention for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures included the appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), dominant handgrip strength, 6-m walk time, and multiparameter ultrasound indices. Secondary outcomes included the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage. All measurements were taken at baseline and after the intervention.

RESULTS

The study cohort predominantly consisted of patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers. Following the intervention, participants in the control group demonstrated significant improvements in appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), dominant handgrip strength, body mass index (BMI), ultrasound-derived muscle thickness, and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores. However, no statistically significant changes were observed in the 6-m walking speed, body fat percentage, a-Ratio, or short physical performance battery (SPPB) scores. In contrast, the experimental group exhibited statistically significant enhancements across all measured outcomes, including ASMI, handgrip strength, 6-m walking speed, BMI, body fat percentage, muscle thickness by ultrasound, a-Ratio, MNA scores, and SPPB scores. Moreover, the magnitude of improvement in the experimental group surpassed that observed in the control group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that electroacupuncture combined with nutritional intervention effectively improves muscle mass, dominant handgrip strength, physical performance, nutritional status, and body composition in patients with gastrointestinal cancer-related sarcopenia, with no significant safety concerns. This approach is worthy of clinical promotion to enhance the quality of life and prognosis of these patients.