Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation

Summary

Electroacupuncture combined with Chinese medicine ironing therapy can effectively improve patients' constipation symptoms and their quality of life. Here, we present a protocol to describe the treatment process of electroacupuncture combined with Chinese medicine ironing therapy for functional constipation.

Abstract

Functional constipation (FC) is a dysfunctional gastrointestinal disease with the main clinical manifestations of complex bowel movements, incomplete bowel movements, reduced frequency of bowel movements, and dry and hard stools, which seriously affect patients' quality of life and psychology. Electroacupuncture improves constipation by performing acupuncture on specific points in the body to accelerate intestinal peristalsis. Chinese medicine ironing therapy (CMIT) can warm up the meridians, accelerate local blood circulation, promote gastrointestinal dynamics, and accelerate gastric emptying. This study elaborated on the method and steps of electroacupuncture combined with CMIT for functional constipation, including patient selection, material preparation, operation procedure, postoperative care, and precautions. The therapeutic effect of the method was also evaluated. The results of the study showed that after 4 weeks of treatment, compared with Western medicine alone, electroacupuncture combined with CMIT can improve the frequency of FC patients' voluntary bowel movements, constipation, and quality of life. There were no obvious adverse reactions.

Introduction

Functional constipation (FC)¹is a chronic digestive disease that seriously affects patients' quality of life, mainly manifested by complex bowel movements, low frequency of bowel movements, hard or lumpy stools, and strained bowel movements². FC significantly impacts the life and psychology of patients³ and is an essential factor in inducing severe diseases such as abdominal pain⁴, sleep disorders⁵, colon cancer⁶, and cardiovascular diseases⁷. Studies show that about 10%-15% of the global population....

Protocol

The Institutional Review Committee of Zigong First People's Hospital reviewed and approved the clinical program. The treatment process, treatment principles, and adverse reactions were explained to the patients in detail in this study, and the patients were carried out after signing the informed consent form.

1. Patient assessment

1. Inclusion criteria:
   1. Include patients who meet the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional constipation

Discussion

The primary pathophysiological basis of FC is the decrease of intestinal motivity caused by sympathetic nerve tension and parasympathetic nerve excitability⁴². The pathogenesis of FC may be related to intestinal neurotransmitter dysfunction, oxidative stress index balance disruption, aquaporin expression abnormalities, abnormal changes in serum ions, intestinal flora disorders, colorectal sensory and motor function abnormalities, and psychological effects⁴³. Western medicin.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
75% alcohol disinfectant	Shandong Anjie Gaoke Disinfection Technology Co. LTD	Q/371402AAJ008
Absorbent Cotton Swab	Zigong Jisheng Medical Equipment Co. LTD	Chuan machine registration 20162140199
Acupuncture needle (0.25 mm x 50 mm)	Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory Co. LTD	Su machine registration 20162270970
Disposable sterile cloth bag	Zigong first People's Hospital material department	N/A
Disposable sterile gloves	Kefu Medical Technology Co. LTD	Xiang machine registration 20202140410
Fennel	Huazhou Huayi Chinese Medicine slices Co.LTD	Yue 20160614
G91-A type electronic needle therapy instrument and supporting electrode wire	Suzhou Medical Supplies Factory Co. LTD	Su machine registration 20172270675
Lactulose oral solution	Abbott Trading (Shanghai) Co. LTD	H11022318