OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between acupoint embedding and oral medication for female functional constipation.

METHODSFifty-six female patients were randomized into an embedding group and a medication group (1:1).There were 22 cases in the embedding group and 26 cases in the medication group with total 8 patients dropped out. The main embedding acupoints were Zhongwan (CV 12), bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Guanyuan (CV 4), combined with Xiawan (CV 10), Huaroumen (ST 24), Wailing (ST 26), Zhigou (TE 6) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). It was given once a week. Oral lactulose was applied in the medication group, 3 times a day. The treatment cycle was 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients whose weekly average number of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) was increased ≥ 2 compared with baseline during the last 6 weeks in the treatment period. The secondary efficacy indices were compared before and after treatment as well as at follow-up at the 12th week, including the weekly average number and increased number of CSBM, the quality of life of patients with constipation (PAC-QOL), the Bristol stool character score, and the assessment of difficulty in defecation.

RESULTSThe percentage of patients whose weekly average number of CSBMs were increased ≥ 2 in the embedding group significantly increased compared with that in the medication group (<0.05). The weekly average number of CSBM in the two groups increased after treatment compared with those before treatment (both<0.01); the score of Bristol stool character improved (both<0.01); the scores of PAC-QOL and difficulty in defecation decreased (all<0.01). The increasing time of weekly average CSBM in the embedding group was higher than that in the medication group (<0.01); the score of PAC-QOL in the embedding group after treatment was better than that in the medication group (<0.01); the Bristol stool character and difficulty degree in the embedding group after treatment were superior to those in the medication group (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe acupoint embedding significantly improve the CSMB, Bristol stool character, the difficulty of defecation, and the quality of life for female patients with functional constipation.