CompletedNot Applicable

Auricular Acupuncture for Post-Stroke Constipation

Vietnam60 participantsStarted 2024-11-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if auricular acupuncture can improve constipation in hospitalized patients with post-stroke constipation. It will also evaluate whether auricular acupuncture is safe when used together with standard care. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does auricular acupuncture reduce constipation severity in patients with post-stroke constipation? * Does auricular acupuncture intestinal symptoms compared with sham auricular acupuncture? * Is auricular acupuncture safe for patients with post-stroke constipation? Researchers will compare auricular acupuncture plus standard care with sham auricular acupuncture plus standard care to determine whether auricular acupuncture provides additional benefits in relieving constipation symptoms. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to receive either auricular acupuncture or sham auricular acupuncture * Receive one treatment session daily for 8 consecutive treatment days in addition to standard care. * Complete assessment of constipation severity and intestinal symptoms before and during the study. * Be monitored for any adverse events throughout the study.

Who can participate

Age range

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: * Adults aged 18 years or older. * Hospitalized patients with stroke confirmed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) * Glasgow Coma Scale score \>= 14 * Diagnosed with constipation according to the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) with a score \> 2 and constipation duration of less than 1 week * No history of gastrointestinal study * Receiving routine rehabilitation therapy, including body acupuncture, massage therapy, and physical rehabilitation according to the hospital protocol * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to cooperate with study procedures because of cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, or severe communication difficulties after stroke. * Skin lesions or infection involving the auricle. * Pregnancy. * Acute illness, exacerbation of chronic disease, malignant tumors, cancer, or severe dermatological disorders. * Current use of medications known to cause constipation, including antidepressants, opioid analgesics, iron supplements, calcium channel blockers, or antacids.

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 Assessment Scale (CAS) score

Timeframe: Baseline and Days 1, 3, 5, and 8 after treatment initiation

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07751224

SponsorHo Chi Minh City Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Constipation trials