[Observation on the therapeutic effect of acupoint application on constipation].
OBJECTIVE
To test the therapeutic effect, safety of acupoint application for treatment of constipation.


METHODS
Forty-two cases were randomly divided into a treatment group of 22 cases and a control group of 20 cases. The treatment group were treated with acupoint application, with the cake made by Sanleng (Rhizoma Spargani), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Bingpian (Borneolum), which was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4); the control group were treated with oral administration of Congrong Tongbian Oral Liquid.


RESULTS
The total effective rate was 81.8% in the treatment group and 50.0% in the control group, the treatment group being better than the control group (P < 0.05); the first defecation time was (5.1 +/- 2.8) h in the treatment group and (10.1 +/- 7.3) h in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
TCM acupoint application therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on constipation.
Li
Yan-hui
YH
Section of Acupuncture, The First Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangdong, China. Lyh0280@tom.com
Yin
Li-li
LL
Wang
Shu-xin
SX
Wang
Li-hong
LH
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged