Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Compared With Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation for Functional Constipation

Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Compared With Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation for Functional Constipation:a Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this trial is to compare the efficacy of electroacupuncture versus transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for functional constipation

Both electroacupuncture(EA) therapy and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation(TENS) are safe and effective for functional constipation, but no head to head comparing trial was conducted.

Methods：102 participants with functional constipation will be recruited and randomly allocated into the EA group and the TENS group.Participants in both groups will receive EA or TENS treatment at Tianshu(ST 25), Fujie(SP 14) and Shangju xu(ST 37) 3 times a week for 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Conforming to the criteria for the diagnosis of functional constipation in Rome III standard;
2. Aged of 18 to 75 years;
3. No medication for constipation has been used for at least 2 weeks before treatment. Except for emergency treatment, it has not received acupuncture treatment for constipation in the past 3 months, and has not participated in other ongoing clinical research.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome and organically or medicated; secondary to endocrine, metabolic, neurogenic, or surgical constipation;
2. Subjects with serious heart, liver, kidney damage or cognitive impairment, aphasia, mental disorders, or the inability to cooperate with the examination and treatment.
3. Pregnant or lactation patients;
4. Subjects with abdominal aortic aneurysm, abnormal enlargement of liver and spleen and so on.
5. Subjects with coagulation dysfunction or anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin have been used all the time.
6. Subjects installed with the cardiac pacemaker.