OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of acupuncture for treatment of chronic functional constipation (CFC).

METHODSNinety cases were treated with acupuncture. The following two groups of acupoints were used alternatively once every other day. The acupoints in the first group were Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Shangjuxu (ST 37) etc., and Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Dachangshu (BL 25) etc. in the second group, electroacupuncture was used at Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37), once a day, 10 times constituting one course. The defecation frequency, difficulty degree of defecation, defecation time, endless sensation of defecation, stool quality and awareness of defecation were observed and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) was evaluated by constipation patients' diaries.

RESULTSThe scores of defecation frequency, difficulty degree of defecation, defecation time, endless sensation of defecation, stool quality, awareness of defecation and PAC-QOL were obviously improved after treatment (all P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 67.7% (61/90). The effect of acupuncture for chronic functional constipation in different dynamic mechanism was different. The effect of slow transit constipation (STC) was better than that of spastic pelvic floor syndrome (SPFS) (P < 0.05), and the effect of constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) was better than that of SPFS and relaxant pelvic floor syndrome (RPFS) (both P < 0.05). Fifty-two cases were effectively followed up. Three cases were cured, 6 cases were remarkably effective, 23 cases were effective and 20 cases were ineffective after 1 month of treatment. Three cases were cured, 5 cases were remarkably effective, 16 cases were effective and 28 cases were ineffective after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of acupuncture for CFC with exact etiology, disease location and classification diagnosis is definite, but different dynamic mechanism has different effect. The treatment programs for SPFS and RPFS need to be optimized to improve the therapeutic effect.