Positive Health Online

Abstract

QIN and COLLEAGUES, 1. Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of CM, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China conducted a randomized study to compare the efficacy differences between abdominal acupuncture and western medication for diarrhoea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).

Background

The authors set out to compare the efficacy differences between abdominal acupuncture and western medication for diarrhoea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).

Methodology

Sixty-one patients with IBS-D were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group (30 cases after 1 dropping) and a western medication group (28 cases after 2 dropping). Acupuncture was used at Yinqiguiyuan points [Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4)], Fusiguan points [bilateral Huaroumen (ST 24), Wailing (ST 26)], Tiaopiqi point [bilateral Daheng (SP 15)], once every other day, 3 times a week. Pinaverium bromide tablet was used orally in the western medication group, 50 mg a time, 3 times a day. All the treatment was given for 4 weeks in the two groups. IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) and clinical symptom scores for abdominal pain and distension, diarrhoea, poor stool output, defecation urgency and stool abnormality were observed before and after the treatment as well as 3 months after treatment. Adverse reactions were recorded and the effects were evaluated.

Results

1. After treatment and at follow-up, the IBS-SSS scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Compared with the western medication group, the scores and the improvements between the two time points and before treatment were better in the acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). 2. The symptom scores in the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment including abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhoea, poor stool output, defecation urgency and stool abnormality (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the scores of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhoea, poor stool output and stool abnormality in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05, P<0.01). 3. The total effective rate and the cured and remarkable effective rate of the acupuncture group were higher than those of the western medication group [(86.7% (26/30) vs 64.3% (18/28), P<0.05; 70.0% (21/30) vs 35.7% (10/28), P<0.01)], and the therapeutic efficacy of the acupuncture group was better than that of the western medication group (P<0.05). There was no adverse reaction.

Conclusion

Abdominal acupuncture is more effective for IBS-D than western medication and can relieve abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhoea, poor stool output, stool abnormality, with long-term effect.

References

Qin Y1, Yi W1, Lin S1, Yang C1, Zhuang Z1. [Clinical effect of abdominal acupuncture for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome]. [Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhen Jiu.;37(12):1265-8. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.2017.12.003. Dec 12 2017.

Comment

The above research demonstrates that abdominal acupuncture is more effective for IBS-D than western medication and can relieve abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhoea, poor stool output, stool abnormality, with long-term effect.