Effects of acupuncture in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: to analyze the effects of acupuncture techniques in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: a systematic review conducted in six databases, from September to December 2017, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses’ criteria. The following descriptors were used: Acupuncture AND Chronic Renal Insufficiency AND Clinical Trial. Results: nine studies were selected; the acupuncture techniques used were auriculotherapy, electroacupuncture and acupressure aimed at improving quality of life, fatigue, sleep and clinical variables of the disease. The studies that assessed quality of life, sleep and fatigue presented significant benefits. Studies that assessed quality of life, sleep and fatigue presented significant benefits. There was no statistical significance in the improvement of serum creatinine levels and glomerular filtration rate. Methodological and assessment tools’ divergence made impossible meta-analysis Conclusions: studies reinforce the positive effect of acupuncture in improving quality of life, fatigue and sleep in patients.

Effectiveness of auriculotherapy for anxiety, stress or burnout in health professionals: a network meta-analysis

“…As for the comparison groups for the interventions tested, it was verified that the control group (without any intervention or with sham points - not indicated for the outcome of interest) is the most used in research studies in the area. This perspective corroborates findings related to the use of auriculotherapy for the treatment of chronic spinal pain 38 , chronic renal failure 42 , cancer patients 43 and for the reduction of Body Mass Index in overweight/obese patients 44 . In this context, it is necessary to reflect on the aspect referring to blinding of the participants, given that auriculotherapy is a visible intervention and that, in theory, only the therapist who applies it knows who is allocated to each group.…”

Efectividad de la auriculoterapia para la ansiedad, el estrés o el burnout en profesionales de la salud: metaanálisis en red

“…En cuanto a los grupos de comparación para las intervenciones estudiadas, se constató que el grupo control (sin ninguna intervención o con puntos sham -no indicados para el resultado de interés) es el más utilizado en las investigaciones del área. Esta perspectiva confirma los hallazgos relacionados con el uso de la auriculoterapia para el tratamiento del dolor crónico en la columna (38) , la insuficiencia renal crónica (42) , los pacientes oncológicos (43) y para reducir el índice de masa corporal en pacientes con sobrepeso/obesidad (44) . En este contexto, es necesario reflexionar sobre el cegamiento de los participantes, dado que la auriculoterapia es una intervención visible y que, en teoría, solo el terapeuta aplicador sabe quién está asignado a cada grupo.…”

Route of chronic kidney patients foreigners in the search for health care in a border area

“…Besides traditional treatment, chronic patients also tend to seek other complementary therapies to alleviate diseaserelated problems. Brazil is a world reference in the inclusion of integrative and complementary medicine in primary healthcare, with prominent results observed among its users (23) . However, multicultural territories, such as border areas, may experience certain tension between traditional and alternative medicine.…”