The effect of acupuncture for constipation after ischemic stroke

The effect of acupuncture versus mosapride citrate tablet versus routine health care in improving spontaneous bowel movements, stool consistency and straining during defecation in patients with constipation after ischemic stroke: a single-centre randomised controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN22214747

Enrollment

120

Registered

2015-06-30

Start date

2015-12-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2018-09-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Constipation after ischemic stroke Digestive System Constipation

Interventions

1. Acupuncture group: acupuncture point selection: CV13 (Shangwan), CV12 (Zhongwan), CV10 (Xiawan), bilateral ST25 (Tianshu), CV6 (Qihai), bilateral PC6 (Neiguan) and bilateral ST36 (Zusanli). Each se

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosed with ischemic stroke according to the diagnostic criteria specified by the World Health Organization (WHO) 2. With symptoms of constipation according to the Rome III functional constipation criteria 3. 2 weeks to 6 months after stroke onset 4. Aged between 30 and 75 years old, either gender 5. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score = 7 and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) = 21, which indicates that participants are conscious and without dysfunctions in comprehension 6. With no previous medical history of constipation before stroke onset and the symptoms of constipation present at least 2 weeks continuously after stroke 7. No use of gastrointestinal drugs 1 week before randomisation (except for emergency drugs) 8. No acupuncture treatment for constipation in the previous 2 weeks 9. Volunteered to join the clinical trial and provided a signed informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation secondary to organic diseases (for example, endocrine, metabolic or postoperative diseases) or drugs 2. Participants with abdominal aneurysm, hepatosplenomegaly, serious cardiovascular, liver, kidney or psychiatric disease, or severe dystrophy who cannot cooperate to be examined or treated 3. Pregnant women or women in lactation 4. Blood coagulation disorders, or administration of anticoagulant agents such as warfarin and heparin (participants treated with antiplatelet treatment such as asprin or clopidogrel as secondary prevention of cerebral infarction are eligible)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The change of mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) from baseline; measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. The change of mean weekly spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation 2. The change of mean scores of stool consistency from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation 3. The change of mean scores of straining during defecation from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation 4. The change of weekly frequency of using laxatives from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation	—

Measure

Time frame

1. The change of mean weekly spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation 2. The change of mean scores of stool consistency from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation 3. The change of mean scores of straining during defecation from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation 4. The change of weekly frequency of using laxatives from baseline, measured at the 4th and the 8th week after randomisation

—

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026