biostudies-literatureUnknown93(28)Wu JAupuncture is widely used for functional constipation. Effect of acupuncture might be related to the depth of needling; however, the evidence is limited. This trial aimed to evaluate the effect and safety of deep needling and shallow needling for functional constipation, and to assess if the deep needling and shallow needling are superior to lactulose. We conducted a prospective, superiority-design, 5-center, 3-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 475 patients with functional constipation were randomized to the deep needling group (237), shallow needling group (119), and lactulose-controlled group (119) in a ratio of 2:1:1. Sessions lasted 30 minutes each time and took place 5 times a week for 4 weeks in 2 acupuncture groups. Participants in the lactulose group took lactulose orallyMedicinee284https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4603109biostudies-literatureEffect and safety of deep needling and shallow needling for functional constipation: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial.PMC4603109Wu JLiu JLiu ZCai YLiu BYe YWang YSun JLi NWang LfalseEffect and safety of deep needling and shallow needling for functional constipation: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial.Aupuncture is widely used for functional constipation. Effect of acupuncture might be related to the depth of needling; however, the evidence is limited. This trial aimed to evaluate the effect and safety of deep needling and shallow needling for functional constipation, and to assess if the deep needling and shallow needling are superior to lactulose. We conducted a prospective, superiority-design, 5-center, 3-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 475 patients with functional constipation were randomized to the deep needling group (237), shallow needling group (119), and lactulose-controlled group (119) in a ratio of 2:1:1. Sessions lasted 30 minutes each time and took place 5 times a week for 4 weeks in 2 acupuncture groups. Participants in the lactulose group took lactulose orally2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Dec2025-04-22T04:00:41.688Z2019-03-27T01:59:57ZS-EPMC46031092552646210.1097/MD.0000000000000284