OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome between acupuncture in terms of soothing liver and strengthening spleen and western medication.

METHODSSeventy cases were randomized into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 35 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture was applied to Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), etc. The electric stimulation was added at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). The treatment was given once a day, 3 to 4 treatments required a week. In the western medication group, Pinaverium (Dicetel) was prescribed for oral administration, 50 mg each time, 3 times a day. The treatment of 4 weeks was taken as one session. Separately, before treatment and after one session of treatment, the clinical symptom score and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) score were observed for the patients in two groups. The efficacy and the recurrence rate were assessed in two groups.

RESULTSThe symptom score and IBS-QOL score were all improved significantly after treatment in two groups (all P < 0.01). The improvements in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the western medication group (all P < 0.01). The effective rate was 94.3% (33/35) in the acupuncture group, which was better than 77.1% (27/35) in the western medication group (P < 0.01). In 3 months, the recurrence rate was 36.4% (12/33) in the acupuncture group, which was remarkably lower than 72.0% (18/25) in the western medication group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture in terms of soothing liver and strengthening spleen achieves the superior efficacy on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome as compared with western medicine Pinaverium. It remarkably improves the quality of life for the patients and reduces the recurrence rate of the disease.