Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: primary care based pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acupuncture is used by patients as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but the evidence on effectiveness is limited. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome in primary care when provided as an adjunct to usual care.

Methods

Design

A two-arm pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Primary care in the United Kingdom.

Patients

233 patients had irritable bowel syndrome with average duration of 13 years and score of at least 100 on the IBS Symptom Severity Score (SSS).

Interventions

116 patients were offered 10 weekly individualised acupuncture sessions plus usual care, 117 patients continued with usual care alone.

Measurements

Primary outcome was the IB

SUBMITTER: MacPherson H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3556159 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature