Efficacy of acupuncture in refractory irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that presents with abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel patterns. IBS has multiple potential causes for which conventional medicines have had limited success, resulting in a significant number of patients who do not sensitively respond to pharmacotherapy for a period of 12 months and who develop a continuing symptom profile (described as refractory IBS) and seek help through (non)pharmacological treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for refractory IBS on the basis of conventional treatments.

Methods and analysis

A total of 170 eligible patients who meet the Rome IV criteria for refractory IBS will be randomly

SUBMITTER: Zhao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8438864 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature