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Efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of functional constipation: A randomized controlled pilot trial

Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine volume 21, pages 459–463 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25) for patients with functional constipation (FC).

Methods

Ninety-six patients with FC were randomized to receive deep needling on bilateral ST25 (group A, 48 cases) or shallow needling on bilateral ST25 (group B, 48 cases) with electroacupuncture once daily for 4 weeks. The proportion of patients with four or more complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week, and scores of constipation symptoms and satisfaction with treatment were compared between two groups. Safety was also assessed.

Results

The proportion of patients with four or more CSBMs per week was 52.1% in group A, significantly higher than 25.0% in group B during the 4-week treatment (P<0.05). The constipation symptom score of patients were significantly improved in group A as compared with group B at week 2–4 (P<0.05). Patients in group A were more satisfied with their treatment compared with those in group B at week 1–4 (P<0.05). Five patients in group A felt significant pain and discomfort. No other adverse reaction was observed in both groups.

Conclusion

Using electroacupuncture at ST25 to treat patients with FC is effectively, and deep needling had more stable effect than shallow needling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Qi-ming Xue, Ning Li, Cheng-wei Wang & Jian-qin Lu

  2. Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China

    Zhi-shun Liu

Authors
  1. Qi-ming Xue
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  2. Ning Li
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  3. Zhi-shun Liu
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  4. Cheng-wei Wang
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  5. Jian-qin Lu
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Correspondence to Ning Li.

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Xue, Qm., Li, N., Liu, Zs. et al. Efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of functional constipation: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 21, 459–463 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2044-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2044-2

Keywords

  • electroacupuncture
  • functional constipation
  • Tianshu
  • Chinese medicine
  • randomized controlled trial