Clinical Research Of Electroacupuncture(Ea) In The Treatment Of Severe Functional Constipation

Objective:To evaluate the short-term and long-term clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA) in the treatment of severe functional constipation.To evaluate safety of electroacupuncture(EA).Methods:Seventy patients with severe functional constipation were randomly divided into EA group(n=35) and sham EA group(n=35).The EA group received deep acupuncture at bilateral Tianshu(ST 25),Fujie(SP 39),and Shangjuxu(ST 39),while the sham EA group received shallow acupuncture at non-acupoints near bilateral Tianshu(ST 25),Fujie(SP 39),and Shangjuxu(ST 39).The numbers of complete spontaneous bowel movements(CSBM) and spontaneous bowel movements(SBM)per week,Bristol Stool Scale(BSS) score,and defecation difficulty score were determined at baseline,the end of the 8th week of treatment,and the end of the 12 th week of follow-up.Results:Both groups showed significant increases in the number of CSBM per week during treatment and follow-up compared with in the baseline period(P<0.01),but the EA group had a significantly higher increase than the sham EA group(P<0.01).During follow-up,the EA group had a significantly higher rate of increase in the number of cases with≥3CSBM each week than the sham EA group(P<0.05).Compared with the sham EA group,the EA group had a significantly higher increase in the number of SBM per week and BSS score and a significantly higher decrease in defecation difficulty score.No serious adverse reaction was found in the two groups.Conclusion:EA has a good clinical effect,particularly in the long term,for patients with severe functional constipation.EA has better safety and tolerance.