Evaluating the clinical application and effect of acupuncture therapy in anal function rehabilitation after low-tension rectal cancer surgery

Table 1 Comparison of changes in serum vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine before and after treatment between the two groups (mean ± SD, pg/mL)

Indicator		Control (n = 60)	Observation (n = 60)	t value	P value
Vasoactive intestinal peptide	Before treatment	41.72 ± 10.85	41.80 ± 10.44	0.041	0.967
	After treatment	34.64 ± 6.80	27.83 ± 6.53	5.595	0.000
Motilin	Before treatment	154.71 ± 43.90	158.08 ± 44.60	0.417	0.677
	After treatment	198.38 ± 37.61	234.82 ± 42.64	4.964	0.000
5-hydroxytryptamine	Before treatment	320.70 ± 58.91	322.61 ± 60.83	0.175	0.862
	After treatment	263.65 ± 52.74	210.37 ± 48.27	5.773	0.000

Table 2 Comparison of postoperative anal incontinence between the two groups (mean ± SD, score)

Indicator		Control (n = 60)	Observation (n = 60)	t value	P value
Wexner score for anal incontinence	One month after surgery	10.5 ± 1.4	12.0 ± 1.8	5.095	0.000
	Three months after surgery	8.5 ± 0.8	9.8 ± 1.0	7.863	0.000
	Six months after surgery	7.0 ± 1.1	8.6 ± 1.1	7.967	0.000
	Twelve months after surgery	5.3 ± 1.3	6.0 ± 1.4	2.838	0.005

Table 3 Comparison of postoperative complications between the two groups

Indicator		Control (n = 60)	Observation (n = 60)	t value	P value
Complications	Abdominal distension and pain	4	2	-	-
	Incision infection	3	1	-	-
	Anastomotic leak	4	1	-	-
	Adhesive intestinal obstruction	2	0	-	-
	Overall incidence	13 (6.67)	4 (21.67)	5.551	0.018