Comparison of Electroacupuncture and Medical Treatment for Functional Constipation

Comparison of Electroacupuncture and Medical Treatment for Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sheng-Li Zhou, Xiu-Lai Zhang, Jing-Hua Wang

First Published December 12, 2018 Other

https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2016-011127

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) relative to conventional medication in functional constipation (FC).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting

To be included, studies needed to: (1) have been randomized controlled trials; (2) have recruited adult patients diagnosed with FC according to the Rome II/III criteria or the American Gastroenterological Association guideline for chronic FC; and (3) have randomized patients to be treated with EA or anti-constipation medication. We searched Medline, the Cochrane Library and Embase databases for articles published up to 30 June 2016.

Intervention

EA or anti-constipation medication.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the change in the number of weekly spontaneous bowel movements. Secondary outcomes were total response rate (or total effective rate), symptom reduction and Cleveland Clinic constipation scores.

Results

The pooled results showed significantly more improvement in the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements in the EA treatment group compared with the medicine-treated group (pooled SMD 0.244, 95% CI 0.065 to 0.424, P=0.008). Deep-needling EA was significantly more effective than treatment with medication at increasing the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (p=0.019). Significantly greater improvement was also seen for total response rates (p=0.018) and reductions in symptom score (p<0.001) in EA-treated patients.

Conclusions

EA was more effective than medication at improving spontaneous bowel movements and total response rate, and reducing the symptoms of FC.

Electro-acupuncture Therapy

Electro-acupuncture means the stimulation of points, meridians, channels, collaterals, and ah-shi points with or without needles with: the administration and/or prescription of percutaneous and transcutaneous electrical nerve and tissue stimulation; and/or the use of microcurrent; low volt; high volt; interferential current; galvanic current; and acupunctoscope.

HERBAL THERAPY

Herbal therapy means the use, prescription, recommendation, and administration of herbal therapy/phyto-therapy which consists of plant, or mineral substances and shall include all homeopathic preparations to promote, maintain and restore health and to prevent disease.