Efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease-related constipation (PDC): A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating Parkinson’s disease-related constipation (PDC).Materials and methodsThis was a randomized, controlled trial in which patients, outcome assessors, and statisticians were all blinded. Seventy-eight eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the manual acupuncture (MA) or sham acupuncture (SA) groups and received 12 sessions of treatment over a 4-week period. Following treatment, patients were monitored until the eighth week. The primary outcome was the change in weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) from baseline after treatment and follow-up. The Constipation Symptom and Efficacy Assessment Scale (CSEAS), the Patient-Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used as secondary outcomes.ResultsIn the intention-to-treat analysis, 78 patients with PDC were included, with 71 completing the 4-week intervention and 4-week follow-up. When compared to the SA group, weekly CSBMs were significantly increased after treatment with the MA group (P < 0.001). Weekly CSBMs in the MA group were 3.36 [standard deviation (SD) 1.44] at baseline and increased to 4.62 (SD, 1.84) after treatment (week 4). The SA group’s weekly CSBMs were 3.10 (SD, 1.45) at baseline and 3.03 (SD, 1.25) after treatment, with no significant change from baseline. The effect on weekly CSBMs improvement in the MA group lasted through the follow-up period (P < 0.001).ConclusionAcupuncture was found to be effective and safe in treating PDC in this study, and the treatment effect lasted up to 4 weeks.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier ChiCTR2200059979

Electroacupuncture reduces oxidative stress response and improves secondary injury of intracerebral hemorrhage in rats by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ/nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2/γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase pathway

“…In clinical practice, acupuncture has been widely used in ICH patients and has been shown to significantly improve patients' levels of consciousness, limb motor function, and cognitive deficits, among others [14][15][16]. With the common progress of acupuncture and evidence-based medicine, the clinical and basic researches on the treatment of ICH by EA continue to emerge, and the interpretation of its mechanism is also constantly improving.…”

Effects of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease-related constipation and roles of gut microbial ecology: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Currently, there isn't a universally recognized diagnostic standard for PDC. Previous studies often combined the diagnostic criteria for PD and constipation (41,42). In this study, patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD will be included, regardless of their current anti-Parkinson medication, if they meet the Rome IV criteria (43).…”

Constipation in Parkinson's Disease

“…In contrast, a considerable body of data from China suggests that acupuncture and electroacupuncture are quite effective. [112][113][114] Based on studies suggesting that the gut microbiome is disturbed in PD 115 and in association with constipation, 116,117 several microbiota-directed therapies have also been employed. The status of probiotics has already been addressed.…”

“…In contrast, a considerable body of data from China suggests that acupuncture and electroacupuncture are quite effective. 112 113 114…”