Abstract
BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and changes in defecation patterns. No organic disease is found to explain these symptoms by routine clinical examination. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for IBS patients compared with those of conventional treatments. We also aim to identify the optimal acupoint combination recommended for IBS and to clarify the clinical advantage of the “multiacupoint co-effect and synergistic effect.”Methods and analysisA total of 204 eligible patients who meet the Rome IV criteria for IBS will be randomly stratified into acupuncture group A, acupuncture group B, or the control group in a 1:1:1 ratio with a central web-based randomization system. The prespecified acupoints used in the control group will include bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), Neiguan (PC6), and Zusanli (ST36). The prespecified acupoints used in experimental group A will include bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Neiguan (PC6). The prespecified acupoints used in experimental group B will include bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Zusanli (ST36). Each patient will receive 12 acupuncture treatments over 4 weeks and will be followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the IBS-Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score. The secondary outcomes include the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), Work and Social Adjustment Score (WSAS), IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores. Both the primary outcome and the secondary outcome measures will be collected at baseline, at 2 and 4 weeks during the intervention, and at 6 weeks and 8 weeks after the intervention.Ethics and disseminationThe entire project has been approved by the ethics committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (2020BZYLL0903).DiscussionThis is a multicenter randomized controlled trial for IBS in China. The findings may shed light on the efficacy of acupuncture as an alternative to conventional IBS treatment. The results of the trial will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trials Register ChiCTR2000041215. First registered on 12 December 2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/.
Highlights
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with stool abnormalities and changes in stool consistency [1]
The results of the trial will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications
The PP population is usually defined as patients who complete at least 80% of the treatment protocol without major protocol violations
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with stool abnormalities and changes in stool consistency [1]. The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain, abdominal distension, or abdominal discomfort, which are related to bowel movements or associated with changes in bowel habits such as frequency and/or fecal traits. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common medical condition that significantly alters the patient’s quality of life and presents a series of diagnostic and treatment challenges to the treating provider [5]. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and changes in defecation patterns. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for IBS patients compared with those of conventional treatments. We aim to identify the optimal acupoint combination recommended for IBS and to clarify the clinical advantage of the “multiacupoint co-effect and synergistic effect.”
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
