{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,14]],"date-time":"2026-09-14T20:56:46Z","timestamp":1789419406224,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.","issue":"2","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["World J Gastroenterol"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This editorial examines the emerging potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in enhancing postoperative recovery following gastroenteroscopy, highlighted by a 2025 randomized controlled trial by Hong et al . The study, involving 120 patients, demonstrates that meridian flow injection (MFI) combined with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) significantly improves gastrointestinal (GI) function, evidenced by a reduced time to first defecation (3.20 \u00b1 1.04 days vs  3.98 \u00b1 1.27 days, P  &lt; 0.001), lowers stress biomarkers (e.g. , reduced cortisol and norepinephrine), and enhances clinical efficacy (93.33% vs  75.00%, P  = 0.006). Leveraging TCM\u2019s five-element theory and Ziwu Liuzhu timing, the intervention targets key acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36) with a herbal paste comprising Qingpi, Houpu, and rhubarb, delivered transdermally to optimize bioavailability. This approach harmonizes ancient TCM principles with contemporary evidence-based practice, offering a holistic strategy to address postoperative nausea, delayed motility, and patient discomfort. Currently, integrative methods like MFI-TEAS are gaining traction, supported by recent meta-analyses that affirm TEAS\u2019s efficacy in accelerating GI recovery across surgical contexts, including shortened times to first exhaust and defecation. This reflects a growing recognition of TCM\u2019s role in perioperative care amidst rising global endoscopy demands. Looking forward, future research should prioritize multicenter, double-blinded trials to enhance generalizability, adhere to standardized reporting frameworks such as CONSORT and STRICTA, and employ advanced tools like multi-omics and functional magnetic resonance imaging to elucidate mechanistic pathways, including gut-brain axis modulation and microbiota-immune interactions. Such developments promise to refine these interventions, fostering a seamless integration of TCM with Western medicine and delivering tailored, patient-centered solutions to improve postoperative outcomes worldwide.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3748\/wjg.v32.i2.114591","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T03:56:02Z","timestamp":1768190162000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Evidence-based acupuncture: Methodological insights and challenges in gastroenteroscopy recovery research"],"prefix":"10.3748","volume":"32","author":[{"given":"Jia-Le","family":"Zhang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Liang-Zhen","family":"You","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2060","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3748\/wjg.v31.i36.110583"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000043699"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.51507\/j.jams.2023.16.3.109"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2024.111568"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj-2024-082068"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjebm-2024-113364"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.1000261"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2019.08.014"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jtcm.2017.03.001"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13063-016-1468-0"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjebm-2025-113641"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2022.102849"},{"key":"B13","unstructured":"Su XL, Peng CX, Xie YJ. 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