Clinical observation on Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu (ST 25) in prevention of post-stroke constipation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the prevention effect of Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu (ST 25) for post-stroke constipation. Methods:Seventy eligible patients with post-stroke constipation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. Both groups were intervened by conventional treatment and care in Western medicine, while the treatment group was also by Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian and point sticking at Tianshu (ST 25). The treatment lasted for 14 d. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the first defecation time, constipation incidence and Chinese stroke scale (CSS) score. Results:After treatment, the first defecation time was (1.86±0.74) d in the treatment group, shorter than (2.77±0.83) d in the control group; constipation incidence was 14.3% in the treatment group, significantly lower than 37.1% in the control group, and the between-group differences in the two items were statistically significant (bothP<0.05). CSS score in both groups dropped significantly after treatment (bothP<0.05); the improvement in the treatment group was better than that in the control group, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu (ST 25) can effectively prevent post-stroke constipation, and can also promote the rehabilitation of nerve functions.