title: [Analysis on follow-up efficacy and safety of slow transit constipation treated with individualized deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25): a multi-central randomized controlled trial].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the follow-up efficacy and safety on slow transit constipation (STC) treated with individualized deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-eight cases of STC were randomized into a deep puncture group (64 cases), a western medication group (31 cases) and a shallow puncture group (33 cases) at the ratio of 2:1:1. In the deep puncture group, electroacupuncture of deep puncture was applied to bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). The needle was inserted perpendicularly and slowly at the acupoint and went deeply till penetrating the peritoneum, about 20 to 65 mm in depth. In the western medication group, lactulose oral liquid was prescribed for oral administration. In the shallow puncture group, electroacupuncture of shallow puncture was done at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). The needle was inserted perpendicularly and slowly, 5 to 8 mm in depth. The treatment lasted 4 weeks in the three groups and the follow-up visit of 12 weeks and 6 month after treatment was performed respectively. The weekly defecation frequency, patient's satisfaction and safety of deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25) were assessed before and after treatment in each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the deep puncture group, the weekly defecation frequency was (1.79 +/- 1.05) times/week before treatment and was (3.90 +/- 1.43) times/week after 4-week treatment. It was (3.49 +/- 1.46) times/week in 12-week follow-up visit after treatment and was (3.51 +/- 1.42) times/week in 6-month follow-up visit after treatment. In the deep puncture group, the improvements in weekly defecation frequency, patient's satisfaction and short-term efficacy were same as those in the western medication group and the shallow puncture group (all P > 0.05). The long-term efficacy in follow-up visit was better remarkably than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides, the combined medication was reduced and no adverse reaction occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The individualized deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25) is effective in the treatment of STC and achieves the satisfactory long-term efficacy. This therapy displays the good effective advantage and deserves to be promoted in clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion therapeutic program as compared with the first-tier line of medication, lactulose oral liquid, recommended at home and abroad, in terms of the evidence-based medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China. wnpeng@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Wei-Na
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Shun
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Huguosi Hospital of TCM.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Anorectal Hospital.
authors.forename: Heng-Jing
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Huguosi Hospital of TCM.
authors.forename: Jing-Nian
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Xiu
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: De-Li
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult