In recent years, according to the etiology and pathology researches of slow transit constipation (STC) STC is considered as a kind of "enteric neuropathy", indicating it is a kind of disease caused by abnormity of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Through reviewing the mechanism of acupuncture to regulate STC, it is found out that there is a close relationship between acupuncture regulating STC and ENS. Through various channels including ganglion cells, nerve plexus, neurotransmitter and TRPV1 (the primary sensory neurons receptor of the ENS) of the ENS, acupuncture is likely to make comprehensive adjustment on STC.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Colon ; innervation ; physiopathology ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Enteric Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Humans

Acupuncture Therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion on constipation.

METHODSA retrieval on literatures concerning treatment of constipation with acupuncture was carried out in databases of VIP, CNKI, WANFANG and PubMed. And meta-analyses were conducted on randomized controlled trial (RCT) and controlled clinical trial (CCT) which met the enrolling requirements.

RESULTSA total number of 15 papers involving 1 052 patients were concluded. The result indicated that the curative rate of acupuncture and moxibustion on constipation is better than ordinary medication (RR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.61-2.30, Z = 7.18, P < 0.000 01). And statistical significance can be found between acupuncture-moxibustion treatment and the routine medicine treatment (RR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.18-1.34, Z = 7.26, P < 0.000 01). In the comparison of abdominal pain, defecation duration and general symptom scores, statistical significance can be found between the differences of acupuncture and moxibustion group and control group (abdominal pain: WMD = -0.22, 95% CI-0.32-0.12, Z = 4.28, P < 0.000 1; defecation duration: WMD = -0.47, 95% CI-0.79-0.15, Z = 2.85, P < 0.004; general symptom scores: WMD = -0.41, 95% CI-0.79-0.03, Z = 2.13, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion is effective to treat constipation. It has certain advantage when compare with the routine medication treatment. However, since singleness still exists in the index of assessment on therapeutic effect of constipation, and the number of RCT and CCT literatures, especially high-quality, large samples and multi-center reports were still not enough, further studies are still necessary for approving the above conclusions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

In order to optimize acupuncture treatment protocol for functional defecation disorders, literature during past 20 years is reviewed, and factors which influences acupuncture therapeutic effect are analyzed from aspects of acupoint, acupuncture technique, etc. As for the selection of acupoint, more attention should be paid on the use of Baliao, especially Zhongliao (BL 33) and Xialiao (BL 34); when Baliao is deeply needled, it is essential to acquire scientific technique. The relationship between acupuncture parameter (including electroacupuncture waveform and frequency), acupuncture techniques (including reinforcing and reducing technique, quantity of stimulation, etc. ) and acupuncture efficacy is complicated, and the scientific values of present research conclusion are in need, of further improvement. The diagnosis and treatment awareness on types of functional defecation should be strengthened, and the mental health of the constipation patients should be concerned. The combination of acupuncture and biofeedback training can have a synergistic effect, which is benefit to achieve a better long-term effect. Based on this, acupuncture treatment protocol for functional defecation disorders can be optimized to further improve the efficacy.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Female ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on post-stroke constipation between acupuncture therapy of regulating qi circulation of fe-organ and Shengxue Tongbian Capsules.

METHODSSeventy-five patients of post-stroke constipation were randomized into an acupuncture group (39 cases) and a Chinese medicine group (36 cases). The unit mode comprehensive therapy of stroke was adopted as basic treatment in the two groups. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture therapy of regulating qi circulation of fu-organ was added at Tianshu (ST 25), Zhigou (TE 6), Qihai (CV 6) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every day. In the Chinese medicine group, Shengrue Tongbian Capsules were supplemented for oral administration, once every day, 10 g each time. The clinical symptom score of constipation was observed before treatment, after 1 and 2 weeks treatment in the two groups, respectively. The efficacy in 1 week and 2 weeks of treatment and the adverse reaction were observed.

RESULTSIn 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, the clinical symptom score of constipation was reduced significantly as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The improvements in the acupuncture group were significant than those in the Chinese medicine group in 2 weeks of treatment (8.03 +/- 2.38 vs 9.20 +/- 2.45, P < 0.05). Concerning to the occurrence of adverse reaction, there was 1 case of local bruises in needling local site in the acupuncture group; and there were 1 case of abdominal pain, 3 cases of diarrhea and 2 cases of nausea and vomiting in the Chinese medicine group.

CONCLUSIONBoth the acupuncture therapy of regulating qi circulation of fu-organ and Shengxue Tongbian Capsules achieve the significant efficacy on post-stroke constipation. The efficacy of the acupuncture therapy of regulating qi circulation of fe-organ is better and the adverse reaction is less after long-term persistent treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvements in constipation differentiated as intestine system syndrome and lung system syndrome treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and explore their correlation.

METHODSSeventy cases of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a pseudo-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, the needles were inserted deeply at Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) on bilateral sides, and directly went to parietal peritoneum. EA was attached to the needles, dense-disperse wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz, and 0.1 to 1.0 mA. The perpendicular insertion was done at Shangjuxu (ST 37), 25 mm in depth. After qi arrival, the needle was lifted, thrusted and rotated once every 10 min, for 3 times totally. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the pseudo-EA group, the pseudo-points lateral to Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) on bilateral sides were punctured shallowly. The electric stimulation was pretended to connect but with the electric wire cutting off. The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given 5 times weekly in the first two weeks and 3 times weekly in the later 6 weeks. Totally, 28 treatments were required. TCM intestine and lung syndrome scale was used for evaluation. The changes in TCM syndromes were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe total score of intestine and lung syndrome and the score of individual syndrome were all reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01). The improvements of the EA group in the total score of intestine system syndrome, the scores of large. intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome, the total score of lung system syndrome and the score of lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending syndrome were superior to those of the pseudo-EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences in the scores of lung qi deficiency syndrome and throat syndrome were not significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). Simultaneously, the very strong positive correlation (P<0.01) and positive linear correlation (P<0.01) were presented in the total score of intestine and lung syndrome of the two groups.

CONCLUSIONEA obviously improves in intestine system syndrome (including large intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome), as well as lung system syndrome (lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending) in the treatment of constipation. But the improvements are not apparent in the treatment of lung qi deficiency and throat disorder. Additionally, the obvious correlation is displayed in the improvements in intestine and lung syndrome.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Abdominal Cavity ; physiopathology ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and mild-warm moxibustion (Mox) therapies for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) patients.

METHODSSixty C-IBS patients were assigned to 2 groups by simple randomized method, i.e. EA group (30 cases) and Mox group (30 cases). Both EA and Mox treatments were performed on bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) for 30 min each time, 6 times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. The gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological symptoms of the two groups were scored before and after treatment. The effects on the corresponding functional brain areas, namely the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insular cortex (IC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the Mox group, greater improvements in abdominal distension, defecation frequency, diffificulty in defecation and stool features were observed in the EA group (all P<0.01), both Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were signifificantly decreased in the EA group (all P<0.01). Finally, decreased activated voxel values were observed in the ACC, right IC and PFC brain regions of EA group with 150 mL colorectal distension stimulation (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth EA and Mox could signifificantly improve some of the most intrusive symptoms of C-IBS patients, and EA was more effective than Mox. The therapeutic effect of these two therapies might through modulating of the brain-gut axis function. (Registration No. ChiCTRTRC-11001349).

Adult ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Moxibustion ; adverse effects ; Pain Measurement ; Rectum ; physiopathology ; Sensory Thresholds ; physiology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a constipation reduction program for inpatients. METHOD: Subjects were selected in one medical ward of C University Hospital from May, 2001 to November, 2001. Twenty-nine subjects were assigned to an experimental group and 32 subjects to a control group. Data related to the frequency of defecation and to the length and amount of laxative drugs used was collected by a medical record review and data on the degree of constipation was obtained by a self-report using a constipation assessment scale. RESULT: More than 90% of the subjects admitted in the department of neurology and one third of total subjects presented with activity limitation and about one fourth of the subjects were fed with a nasogastric tube. There was a significant difference in the degree of constipation, frequency of defecation, and the length and amount of laxative drug use between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This program is effective in inpatient's constipation reduction. Further studies need to apply this program in various clinical environments and properly use this program in different clinical settings.
Adult ; Aged ; Cathartics/therapeutic use ; Constipation/physiopathology/*therapy ; Defecation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged