Effect of electroacupuncture versus prucalopride for severe chronic constipation: protocol of a multi-centre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acupuncture is safe and may be effective for severe chronic constipation. The World Gastroenterology Organisation recommends prucalopride for patients for whom previous laxative use failed to provide satisfactory relief.

Methods/design

In this prospective, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial, five hundred sixty patients with severe chronic constipation (two or less spontaneous complete bowel movements per week) from 14 centres will be randomised to receive either electroacupuncture or prucalopride. Participants in the electroacupuncture group will receive electroacupuncture for eight weeks, while participants in the control group will take prucalopride (2 mg once daily) for 32 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the proportion of patients having ≥ 3 sponta

SUBMITTER: Liu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4117955 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature