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Acupuncture safe, effective for treatment of chronic severe functional constipation

Electroacupuncture increased complete spontaneous bowel movements within 8 weeks, according to findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Zhishun Liu, MD, PhD, from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and colleagues also reported that the treatment did not lead to any severe adverse events.

"Chronic constipation affects approximately 16% of the world's population, 17.1% of persons in Europe, 12% to 19% of those in North America, and 10.8% of those in Asia," Liu and colleagues wrote. "Patients with severe chronic constipation have complete spontaneous bowel movements no more than twice per week, with hard stools, frequent straining, and the sensation of incomplete evacuation. Most chronic constipation is functional and is associated with decreased quality of life."

They noted that other treatments, such as laxatives and prokinetic agents, are temporary or can cause adverse cardiac events, respectively.

Liu and colleagues conducted a randomized, parallel, sham-controlled trial of 1,075 patients with chronic severe functional constipation, who either received electroacupuncture (n = 536) or sham electroacupuncture (n = 539). Participants received 28 sessions over 8 weeks at one of 15 selected hospitals in China and were then followed for 12 additional weeks.

Results showed that, from week 1 to week 8, mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements increased by 1.76 (95% CI, 1.61-1.89) in the electroacupuncture group and by 0.87 (95%, 0.73-0.97) in the sham group (P < .001).

From baseline to weeks 9 through 20, mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements changed by 1.96 (95% CI, 1.78-2.11) in the electroacupuncture group and by 0.89 (95% CI, 0.69-0.95) in the sham group (P < .001).

In addition, during the treatment and follow-up periods, 31.3% and 37.7% of patients who received electroacupuncture had three or more mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements, compared to 12.1% and 14.1% of patients who received sham electroacupuncture (P < .001).

The researchers reported infrequent adverse events in both groups, all of which were transient or mild.

"We found that 8-week [electroacupuncture] treatment increased [complete spontaneous bowel movements] and was safe for the treatment of [chronic severe functional constipation]. The effect persisted for 12 weeks after treatment," Liu and colleagues concluded. "Electroacupuncture could provide an alternative to conventional medications for the management of [chronic severe functional constipation]. Additional study is warranted to evaluate a longer-term treatment and follow-up." – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.