Colonic Transmission Changes And Clinical Effects In Patients With Slow Transit Constipation After Acupuncture Treatment

Objective:Compare the treatment effect of acupuncture in slow transit constipation(STC), then further investigate the colonic motility after acupuncture treatment, to provide scientific evidences and effective therapeutic approach for slow transit constipation treatment.Methods:We recruited 46 STC patients that fit Rome III criterion of STC, and 28 healthy people as control group from Dalian University affiliated Xinhua Hospital. After graded of each subject’s defecation and colonic motility test, we applied acupuncture on STC group. The acupuncture points are Zhigou(double), Tianshu(double), Zusanli(double)and Zhaohai(double), and the coordination of acupoints are Dachangyu and Zhongwan.The needles were stay for 30 minutes in acupuncture points after Qi acquirement. The acupuncture were applied once a day, 5 times each week, and 12 weeks treatments were considered as 1 treatment course. After 2 treatment circles, we graded each subject’s defecation and colonic motility test as previous, then compared their scores with nontreated results and scores from control group, and applied statistic analysis on each index.Results:1 No statistic difference of sex and age between STC group and healthy group, but the average of body mass index was noticed increase in STC group.2 The scores of subjects defecation and colonic motility test were much higher in STC group compare to control group. The score dramatically decreased in STC patients after 1 treatment course but still higher than control group, however, the score continue decrease to normal level after 2 treatment courses and maintain in the later 3 months.3 The acupuncture treatment effect is very obvious in STC group. The effective rate is 54.35% after first week treatment, increase to 83.72% after 2 courses treatment, and maintain 70.97% in the later 3 months.4 The colonic transit time were longer in STC patients, while their transit index were much lower compare to healthy subjects. After acupuncture treatment, the transit time greatly reduced and transit index increased in STC subjects.5 No adverse events during acupuncture treatment.Conclusions:1 The average of body mass index increase in STC patients.2 Acupuncture treatment greatly improves defecation situation in STC subjects, and shows clear clinical effect for STC symptom.3 Acupuncture treatment dramatically increases colonic motility in STC subjects.4 Acupuncture is a safe and effective approach for STC treatment.