Efficacy of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Functional Constipation: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of eiectroacupuncture at Tianshu(ST25) for patients with functional constipation(FC).Methods:Ninety-six patients with FC were randomized to receive deep needling on bilateral ST25(group A,48 cases) or shallow needling on bilateral ST25(group B,48 cases) with eiectroacupuncture once daily for 4 weeks.The proportion of patients with four or more complete spontaneous bowel movements(CSBMs) per week,and scores of constipation symptoms and satisfaction with treatment were compared between two groups.Safety was also assessed.Results:The proportion of patients with four or more CSBMs per week was 52.1%in group A,significantly higher than 25.0%in group B during the 4-week treatment(P0.05).The constipation symptom score of patients were significantly improved in group A as compared with group B at week 2-4(P0.05).Patients in group A were more satisfied with their treatment compared with those in group B at week 1-4(P0.05).Five patients in group A felt significant pain and discomfort.No other adverse reaction was observed in both groups.Conclusion:Using eiectroacupuncture at ST25 to treat patients with FC is effectively,and deep needling had more stable effect than shallow needling.