Acupuncture for Functional Constipation in Older Adults

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Acupuncture in Nourishing Kidney and Dredging Fu Organs for Functional Constipation in Older Adults

Through a scientific and standardized randomized controlled study, we observe the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of functional constipation in the elderly through the method of "nourishing kidney and dredging Fu organs".

Functional constipation is a common disease of old people. To date, there has not specific therapy on it. Former research showed acupuncture may work for functional constipation. In the trial, patients in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups will receive 24 acupuncture treatments over an 8-week period. This RCT is designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in functional constipation treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for Constipation and TCM Diagnostic Criteria of constipation with yin deficiency syndrome;
• No gender restriction, age 60-80;
• FC that is classified as mild or moderate;
• Have not used any medicine for constipation at least 2 weeks before treatment (except emergency treatment);
• Have not participated in other medical clinical trials over the past one month;
• Those who can understand various evaluation scales, complete the evaluation and cooperate with the completion of the planned course of treatment;
• Sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Irritable bowel syndrome and constipation caused by tumors, inflammatory reactions, endocrine and metabolic diseases, and drugs;
• Constipation caused by organic diseases;
• Patients with serious primary diseases such as heart, brain, liver, kidney and hematopoietic system, infectious diseases, tumors, and mental diseases;
• Those who voluntarily give up or cannot cooperate with treatment and observation due to various circumstances;
• Patients with cognitive impairment or aphasia;
• Those who take other drugs during treatment, which affect the efficacy and judgment (except emergency treatment).