ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture with Ling Gui Ba Fa in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS). Methods Sixty D-IBS patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 each. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture by selecting points according to Ling Gui Ba Fa plus Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25), while the control group was by oral administration of Pinaverium Bromide. The therapeutic efficacies were compared after 2 treatment courses. Results The markedly-effective rate and total effective rate were respectively 80.0% and 93.3%in the treatment group, versus 50.0%and 80.0%in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). The total effective rates for abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were respectively 93.3%, 86.7%, and 93.3%in the treatment group, versus 80.0%, 86.7%, and 80.0%in the control group, and the inter-group differences in comparing the total effective rate for abdominal bloating and diarrhea were statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture majorly with Ling Gui Ba Fa is an effective method in treating D-IBS.