Acupuncture for Chronic Severe Functional Constipation

Liu, Zhishun; Yan, Shiyan; Wu, Jiani; He, Liyun; Li, Ning; Dong, Gui-Rong; Fang, Jianqiao; Fu, Wenbin; Fu, Lei; Sun, Jianhua; Wang, Linpeng; Wang, Shun; Yang, Jun; Zhang, Hongxing; Zhang, Jianbin; Zhao, Jiping; Zhou, Wei; Zhou, Zhongyu; Ai, Yanke; Zhou, Kehua; Liu, Jia; Xu, Haiyan; Cai, Yuying; Liu, Baoyan

doi:10.7326/m15-3118

Cited by 169 publications

(195 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The lack of a sham acupuncture control makes it impossible to test whether the treatment effect of acupuncture is specific and how much is the magnitude of the treatment effect. Several trials and systematic reviews of acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome, pain conditions, and hot flashes after chemotherapy or radiotherapy showed that the effect of acupuncture is mainly placebo effect; however, other trials of acupuncture for CFC and functional dyspepsia showed specific but small magnitude treatment effect of acupuncture . In summary, future trials should have both positive and sham control in one trial to settle the problem.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several trials and systematic reviews of acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome, 13,18,20,23,37 pain conditions, 24,38 and hot flashes after chemotherapy or radiotherapy 39,40 showed that the effect of acupuncture is mainly placebo effect; however, other trials of acupuncture for CFC and functional dyspepsia showed specific but small magnitude treatment effect of acupuncture. 41 In summary, future trials should have both positive and sham control in one trial to settle the problem. Thirdly, we used a pragmatic design in this study, so the diet and lifestyle were not strictly controlled during the study period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Acupuncture for patients with chronic functional constipation: A randomized controlled trial

Zheng

Liu

Zhang

et al. 2018

Neurogastroenterology Motil

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture for patients with chronic functional constipation: A randomized controlled trial

Zheng

Liu

Zhang

et al. 2018

Neurogastroenterology Motil

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“…Promising results have been reported on the EA treatment for chronic functional constipation. In a multi‐center placebo‐controlled study involving 1075 patients with severe functional constipation, 8 weeks of EA (4 times/wk) significantly increased the weekly complete spontaneous bowel movement in comparison with sham‐EA . In the article appeared in this issue, EA was found to be as effective as the prokinetic agent in reducing constipation symptoms during the treatment period but more effective than the prokinetic agent in the follow‐up period.…”

Section: Ea and Tea Treatments For Gut Dysmotilitymentioning

confidence: 96%

Electroacupuncture treatments for gut motility disorders

Chen¹,

Yin³

2018

Neurogastroenterology Motil

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Functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are common and there are patients who are refractory to medical therapies as not all treatments work in all patients. Consequently, a large number of patients with functional GI diseases use complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA). In this issue, Zheng et al. reported interesting results of a multi-center placebo-controlled clinical study on the use of EA for treating refractory functional dyspepsia; another study reported a multi-center clinical trial on EA for chronic functional constipation; Liang et al. studied mechanisms of EA involving enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters in treating constipation in rats. While controversial reports are available in the literature, EA with appropriate methodologies as shown in these recent studies is believed to be effective in treating certain functional GI diseases. In this mini-review, a number of clinical studies, including those included in this issue on the use of EA for treating gastro-esophageal reflux, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation are reviewed. Some critically important issues, such as the choice of stimulation parameters for EA, the administration frequency of the therapy, and the appropriate choice of placebo for clinical research are also discussed. Mechanisms of action involved in the therapeutic effects of EA for gut dysmotility and future research directions are also presented.

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“…5 Another study of 1075 patients with refractory constipation showed that electroacupuncture, in which an electric current is applied to acupuncture needles inserted into the body, was effective for treatment. 6 The researchers noted that in previous studies on the effects of acupuncture, relatively intense stimulation was applied by inserting acupuncture needles (filiform needles) deep into the tissue up to the muscles. 6 Acupuncture is only performed by physicians and acupuncturists.…”

Section: Introduction Bmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 The researchers noted that in previous studies on the effects of acupuncture, relatively intense stimulation was applied by inserting acupuncture needles (filiform needles) deep into the tissue up to the muscles. 6 Acupuncture is only performed by physicians and acupuncturists. As acupuncture needles are inserted into the body, some patients show reluctance because of issues, such as pain, safety, and hygiene.…”

Section: Introduction Bmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Noninvasive Skin Stimulation with Microcones on Constipation: A Double-Blinded Controlled Study

Sawazaki

Hoshikawa

2018

Medical Acupuncture

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Objective: The use of noninvasive skin stimulation with microcones for constipation is promising. However, no double-blinded study has assessed the effects of this approach on constipation. The goal of this research was to assess the effects on constipation when using noninvasive skin stimulation with microcones. Materials and Methods: This double-blinded, controlled study included 44 subjects, each with a score of 5 points or higher on the Japanese version of the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS-J). The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) a stimulation group (skin-stimulation device with microcones; n = 23; group S) and (2) a placebo group (identical device without microcones; n = 21; group P). The subjects were required to attach the skin-stimulation devices to both cavum conchae with dedicated bandages every day for 2 months by themselves. Main Outcome Measures: This study assessed the severity of constipation, total mood disturbance (TMD) score, and salivary amylase activity (SAA) in each subject. Measurements were obtained before, during, and after the intervention. Results: With regard to the CAS-J score, significant differences were observed in both groups; however, no significant differences were observed between the groups. With regard to the TMD score, significant differences were observed in group S but not in group P. With regard to SAA, there were no significant differences in both groups; however, significant differences were noted after the intervention between the groups. Conclusions: Noninvasive skin stimulation with microcones could relieve constipation and improve TMD scores and SAA activity. This procedure may be used as a self-care option.

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Acupuncture for Chronic Severe Functional Constipation

Abstract: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China through the Twelfth Five-Year National Science and Technology Pillar Program.

Cited by 169 publications

References 32 publications

Acupuncture for patients with chronic functional constipation: A randomized controlled trial

Acupuncture for patients with chronic functional constipation: A randomized controlled trial

Electroacupuncture treatments for gut motility disorders

Effects of Noninvasive Skin Stimulation with Microcones on Constipation: A Double-Blinded Controlled Study

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