Weekly frequency of defecation, defecation difficulty life, and quality score were all improved significantly in the four groups; in follow-up, weekly frequency of defecation of LI11 and ST37 (EA2) was superior to the other three groups
EA: 2 Hz/200 Hz D: Fuzhengliqi mixture EA + D: both of above C: Mosapride and Macrogol 4000
All groups decreased the defecation interval, stool property, constipation symptom grade, accompanying symptom grade, and GITT; EA + D was better than others; EA could keep long-term effect
EA: 2 Hz/100 Hz D: Plantain and Senna Granule EA + D: both of the above
All groups decreased the scores of defecation cycle, stool property, constipation symptom grade, accompanying symptom grade, and GITT; EA + D was better than others; EA and EA + D could keep long-term effect
Group 1: ST25, CV6, ST37; Group 2: BL33, BL34, BL25 Alternatively
EA: BL33, BL34, ST25, T37
The scores of defecation frequency, difficulty degree of defecation, defecation time, endless sensation of defecation, stool quality, awareness of defecation, and QoL were obviously improved after treatment. The total effective rate was 67.7% (61/90)
Two patients dropped out because symptoms worsened
RCT: randomized controlled trial; CCT: controlled clinical trial; HA: hand-acupuncture; EA: EA; AT: auriculotherapy; SA: sham acupuncture; D: drug; HA + D: hand-acupuncture + drug; EA + D: EA + drug; C: control; PE: patient’s endurance; MA: mean age; PO: by mouth; CCS: Cleveland Constipation Score; number up to 4: the number of constipation patients whose defecation was up to 4 times per week; BMs, bowel movements; GITT: gastrointestinal transit time; TGITT: total gastrointestinal transit time; M-ITT: mouth-intestine transit time, CTT: colonic transit time; RCTT: right colonic transit time; LCTT: left colonic transit time; RSTT: rectosigmoid colonic transit time; MTL: motilin; QoL: quality of life; CI: confidence interval; QD, every day; BID: twice per day; TID: triple per day; NA: not acquirable.