A new acupuncture method for management of irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized double blind clinical trial

Patients and treatments: A randomized double blind sham control clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture for Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A total of 60 IBS patients assigned to three separated groups. The first group received clofac as drug only group (DO). The second one received catgut embedding acupuncture in special point (AP) and the last group received sham acupuncture (SA). Symptoms, pain, depression and anxiety assessed before and after two weeks at the end of study.

Results: There was statistically significant difference between AP and SA and DO in constipation and bloating. Differences that were statistically significant favored acupuncture on pain (p=0.003), and depression (p=0.002) as the other outcomes. The average (standard deviation (SD)) of weight loss was 2 kg (0.88) in acupuncture group.

Conclusion: Our finding showed a significant positive associated between acupuncture and IBS. Catgut embedding acupuncture is a new method which can eliminated IBS symptoms and can use as alternative therapeutic method for improvement of IBS.

Rafiei R, et al. A new acupuncture method for management of irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized double blind clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences 2014;19:913-917.