Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Acupuncture for Children with Functional Constipation

18 participantsStarted 2025-02-20

Plain-language summary

Background of the study: Functional constipation (FC) is common in children and poses a significant burden to patients, their families and the healthcare system. Pharmacological treatment mainly consists of oral osmotic laxatives. However, poor adherence to oral laxatives is known to be a common problem and patients often remain symptomatic despite pharmacological treatment. Many parents seek help in the form of complementary and integrative medicine. Acupuncture has been shown to relieve symptoms in adults with FC. However, published studies in children with FC are scarce and have important limitations. Objective of the study: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and potential efficacy of acupuncture in children with FC. The results of this study will be used to design a future randomized controlled trial (RCT). Study design: A prospective, non-randomized, multicenter, open-label pilot study. Intervention: Children will receive 8 acupuncture sessions during 10 weeks (1 session per week during 6 weeks, followed by 1 session every other week during 4 weeks). Concurrent pharmacological treatment with polyethylene glycol ≥ 0.2 g/kg/day will be maintained as initiated prior to participation in the study. Study population: 18 children (6-18 years old) with FC according to the Rome IV criteria.

Who can participate

Age range

6 Years – 18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Two or fewer spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week (an SBM is defined as a bowel movement that occurs in the absence of laxative, enema, or suppository use in the preceding 24 hours)
. History of excessive stool retention
. History of painful or hard bowel movements
. History of large-diameter stools
. Presence of a large fecal mass in the rectum
. At least 1 episode/week of incontinence after the acquisition of toileting skills
. History of large-diameter stools that may obstruct the toilet in toilet-trained children

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Primary outcome measure: feasibility

Timeframe: From enrollment until the end of the intervention period (at 10 weeks)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06836362

SponsorAcademisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Functional Constipation (FC) trials