CompletedNot Applicable

A Clinical Study on Warm Needling Moxibustion at Tianshu and Guanyuan Acupoints

China60 participantsStarted 2022-08-01

Plain-language summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two different acupuncture techniques for treating a specific type of chronic constipation, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as "Yang deficiency type" chronic functional constipation. Chronic functional constipation is a common condition characterized by difficult or infrequent bowel movements. The "Yang deficiency" pattern is believed to be caused by a lack of functional energy (Qi) and warmth in the body, leading to sluggish bowel motility. This study will enroll 60 eligible participants who will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Experimental Group: Participants will receive "warm needling" therapy. This involves inserting acupuncture needles at specific points (Tianshu and Guanyuan) and then burning a small moxa stick on the needle handle to generate heat. Control Group: Participants will receive electroacupuncture at the same acupoints. This involves attaching the needles to a device that delivers a mild electric current. Both groups will receive treatment every other day, three times a week, for a total of four weeks. We will assess their constipation symptoms, anxiety and depression levels, and quality of life using standardized questionnaires immediately after the 4-week treatment and again 6 months later. The goal is to see which method provides better relief, both in the short term and long term.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 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: Age 18 to 65 years, either sex Meeting the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional constipation Meeting the Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic criteria for Yang deficiency type constipation No other treatments received before inclusion Exclusion of organic digestive system lesions confirmed by colonoscopy or other appropriate examinations Voluntary participation with signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Not meeting the inclusion criteria Pregnant or lactating women Serious cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases Inability to receive abdominal acupuncture due to skin diseases or other local conditions Participation in other clinical trials within the past 3 months

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

Constipation Severity Score (CSS)

Timeframe: Change from baseline in Constipation Severity Score (CSS) at week 4 and month 6.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07483229

SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-10-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Constipation - Functional trials