Clinical trial NCT00508482
Conditions: Constipation
Keywords: Acupuncture Functional constipation
Sponsor: Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
Start date: 2008-04-01; Completion date: 2011-11-01
Enrollment: 475 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to re-evaluate the therapeutic superiority and safety of acupuncture treatment using high quality and large sampled clinical research. The investigators want to provide a preferred treatment protocol, which is effective, safe, and easy to use in clinical practice. This research also clarifies that the insertion depth is a key factor in the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. The results of the study will help promote the development of the standardization of acupuncture.

Detailed description:
Functional constipation is a high morbidity disease. The life-long treatment of functional constipation can seriously impact a patient's quality of life. At present, one of the most frequently used treatment is catharsis, which deals with the symptom. There are three main problems with catharsis. First, there are no long-lasting effects once the patient stops taking medication. Second, there are many side effects, including abdominal pain with defecation and diarrhea. Third, long-term use of irritant laxatives will not only make the constipation become refractory and complex; but also, this type of medicine can harm the enteric nervous system, cause melanosis coli, or even carcinoma of colon. Therefore, a therapy that is safe with minimal side effects and good short-term and long-term effects is urgently needed in functional constipation treatment.

Clinical practice shows that acupuncture may meets this need to some extent. The acupuncture therapy is safe and effective and the therapeutic effects are still present several months after the treatment has been completed.

Arms: arm 1: Acupoints of bilateral Tianshu (ST25), which were located according to WHO Standardized Acupuncture Points Location, were used. After sterilizing the skin, needles of the size of 0.35×0.75mm were inserted into ST25 vertically and slowly without manipulation for about 20\~60mm until piercing into the muscle layer. Paired alligator clips of the electric acupuncture (EA) apparatus were attached transversely to the needle holders of bilateral ST25. EA stimulation lasted for 30 minutes with a dilatational wave of 2/15Hz and current intensity of 0.1\~1mA. Participant's abdominal muscle twitching mildly showed the proper dose. Patients were treated once a day, five times a week for continuous 4 weeks. arm 2: Lactulose Oral Solution was taken orally at the dose of 20\~30ml once every morning after breakfast for continuous 4 weeks. Patients should take lactulose for another 3 months if no severe adverse effect was showed. arm 3: Bilateral ST25, the same acupoints as deep needling group, were used. After skin disinfection, needles of the size of 0.30×25mm penetrated the skin uprightly for about 5\~9mm into the fat layer without manipulation. The usage of EA apparatus and treatment course were the same as deep needling group.
Interventions: intervention 1: deep needling intervention 2: Lactulose intervention 3: shallow needling
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Huatuo brand needle (0.35×75mm), LH202H electric stimulator, parameter is constant wave, 2/15Hz, and current intensity is the abdominal muscles shiver slightly and the patient feels trivial pain.

Once a day, five times a week, four weeks. intervention 2: 20-30ml, once a day before breakfast, for the whole study except the run-in period intervention 3: Huatuo brand needle (0.30×25mm). The usage of EA apparatus and treatment course were the same as deep needling group.

Protocol documents: