title: The Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture for Functional Constipation: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.
abstract: Background. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to treat functional constipation (FC). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of EA with different needle insertion method for FC. Methods. Sixty-seven participants were randomly assigned to control (EA with shallow puncture) and EA (with deep puncture) groups. Every patient received 5 treatments per week in the first two weeks, then 3 treatments per week during the following six weeks. Complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM), spontaneous bowel movements (SBM), Bristol stool scores (BSS), and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) were assessed. Results. Both shallow and deep EA significantly increased CSBM frequency compared to the baseline. CSBM was increased from 0.50 ± 0.59/wk to 2.00 ± 1.67/wk with deep EA and from 0.48 ± 0.59/wk to 1.33 ± 1.09/wk with shallow EA (P < 0.05, resp.). Similar finding was noted in SBM. Deep EA was more potent than shallow EA (P < 0.05) during the treatment period. No difference was found on BSS and PAC-QOL between two groups. Conclusion. It is effective and safe with EA to treat FC. Studies with large sample size and long-term observation are needed for further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China ; Department of Acupuncture, People's Hospital of Jurong, Road 60, West Street of Huayang Town, Jurong, Zhenjiang 212400, China.
authors.forename: Nili
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2351-7283
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Da
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Xinjun
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9872-4899
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Hairong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Xiuzhu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Anorectal Department, Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Chaoming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Jiejing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Yangyang
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9759-9141
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Guangyong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
authors.forename: Jianbin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang