Ultrasonic Chinese herbal medication penetration therapy at Tiānshū (天枢 ST25) for opioid-induced constipation with liver stagnation and spleen deficiency

Abstract

ObjectivesTo observe the clinical effect on opioid-induced constipation of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency treated with the ultrasonic penetration of the No.1 constipation herbal formula at Tiānshū (天枢 ST25). MethodsA total of 126 patients that were in compliance with the inclusion criteria were randomized into an acupoint group (41 cases), a Chinese medication group (42 cases) and a western medication group (43 cases). In the acupoint group, the ultrasonic penetration of the No.1 constipation herbal formula at bilateral Tiānshū (天枢 ST25) were given. In the Chinese herbal medication group, the No.1 constipation herbal formula was prescribed for oral administration. In the western medication group, polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder was prescribed for oral administration. The treatment was given once a day, for 14 days totally. Before and after treatment, the constipation symptom score, the score of the patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL), the situation of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) in serum were observed in each group. The safety indicators in the observation included diarrhea, allergic reaction, liver dysfunction, skin lesions, etc. ResultsA total of 122 cases accomplished the trial. The total effective rate was 82.5% in the acupoint group, 80.48% in the Chinese medication group and 78.04% in the western medication group. The constipation symptoms were all relieved in the three groups, indicating the statistical significance as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). In the acupoint group and the western medication group, the improvements in the three symptom items, i.e. distention or scurrying pain in the chest, hypochondriac region or the bilateral sides of the abdomen, depression or irritability and poor appetite, were better than the western medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The improvements in all of the symptoms in the acupoint group were better than the Chinese medication group (all P < 0.05). The PAC-QOL score was improved in each group after treatment and it was different significantly in statistics as compared with that before treatment in each group. After treatment, the improvement of PAC-QOL score in the acupoint group and the Chinese medication group was better than that in the western medication group (both P < 0.05), and the improvement in the acupoint group was better than the Chinese medication group (P < 0.05). As to serum NOS, after treatment, it was different significantly as compared with that before treatment in each group (all P < 0.05), the improvement in the acupoint group was better than that of either the Chinese medication group or the western medication group, indicating the statistical significance (both P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the acupoint group was less and different significantly as compared with the western medication group (P < 0.01), and it was different statistically as compared with the Chinese medication group (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe ultrasonic penetration of the No.1 constipation herbal formula at Tiānshū (天枢 ST25) is effective on opioid-induced constipation of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency. This therapy achieves the significant therapeutic effect and presents the good compliance in treatment. Hence, it deserves to be further promoted in clinical application.