Clinical observation on acupuncture treatment for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the different therapeutic effects of acupuncture and Phenolphthalein for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Methods:A total of 50 patients with constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group by the random digital table, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated by puncturing Gongsun (SP 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Hegu (LI 4), Lieque (LU 7), and Tianshu (ST 25), once every day, and 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses; while the patients in the medication group were given Phenolphthalein, 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses. Compared the Cleveland clinic constipation score (CCS) between the two groups after one course, 3 courses and 3 months after the treatment, as well as the frequency of defecation within one week. Results:After one week of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the medication group than in those of the acupuncture group (P<0.01). After 3 weeks of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significant in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group (P<0.05). Three months after the end of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture and medication are effective in the treatment of constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Their short-term therapeutic effect is similar, but the long-term therapeutic effect is better in the acupuncture group than in the medication group.