NCT00746200

Brief Summary

Since there have been few advances for constipation in laxative treatment in the last 50 years, this study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for patients with chronic constipation based on the theory of traditional Chinese Medicine.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
80

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_3

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2008

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 31, 2008

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 3, 2008

Completed
28 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2008

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2010

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2010

Completed
Last Updated

May 12, 2010

Status Verified

May 1, 2010

Enrollment Period

1.5 years

First QC Date

August 31, 2008

Last Update Submit

May 10, 2010

Conditions

Keywords

chronic constipationelectroacupuncturerandomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • score of questionnaire of constipation symptoms

    every month

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • score of questionnaire of quality of life

    every month

  • amount of laxative use

    every week

  • frequency of enema/suppository use/digital maneuver

    every week

  • stool amount

    every week

  • stool consistency

    every week

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

A

EXPERIMENTAL
Procedure: (electro)acupuncture

S

SHAM COMPARATOR
Procedure: sham acupuncture

Interventions

Frequency of electrostimulation: 15Hz; Duration of electrostimulation: 20min;

Also known as: electroacupuncture
A

Superficial acupuncture needle stimulation at non-acupoints with TENS applied for seconds

S

Eligibility Criteria

Age20 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • men or non-pregnant women who are at least 20 years old
  • who meet any one of the following three criteria: 1.the one who meets RomeIII criteria; 2.at least once a week of enema/suppository in past three months; 3.laxative use in more than half time of last three months

You may not qualify if:

  • known colorectal cancer, anal abscess, anal fissure, rectocele, inflammatory bowel disease, megacolon or mechanical bowel obstruction
  • unknown cause of gastrointestinal bleeding or acute infection
  • history of alcohol or drug abuser
  • women who are pregnant, as determined by a urine pregnancy test
  • history of adverse reaction to (electro)acupuncture
  • received herb or acupuncture therapy within one month prior to enrollment

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch

Douliu, 640, Taiwan

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Lembo A, Camilleri M. Chronic constipation. N Engl J Med. 2003 Oct 2;349(14):1360-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra020995. No abstract available.

    PMID: 14523145BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Electroacupuncture

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Combined Modality TherapyTherapeuticsAcupuncture TherapyComplementary TherapiesElectric Stimulation TherapyPhysical Therapy ModalitiesRehabilitationTranscutaneous Electric Nerve StimulationAnalgesiaAnesthesia and AnalgesiaAnesthesia

Study Officials

  • Chien-Hsun Huang, MD, MSc

    National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 31, 2008

First Posted

September 3, 2008

Study Start

October 1, 2008

Primary Completion

April 1, 2010

Study Completion

May 1, 2010

Last Updated

May 12, 2010

Record last verified: 2010-05

Locations