Research conducted by teams from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has revealed promising results regarding the use of acupuncture for patients suffering from refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The findings, published in Frontiers of Medicine, Volume 18, Issue 4, indicate that acupuncture may offer an effective treatment option for individuals whose symptoms have not responded to conventional therapies.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Those with refractory IBS often experience persistent symptoms despite various pharmacological treatments and psychological therapies. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture in these challenging cases.
The multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial involved 170 patients, divided equally into two groups. Participants received either real or sham acupuncture three times a week for a total of 12 sessions, while continuing their usual treatment. The primary measure of success was the change in the IBS-Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score from baseline to week four of the study.
Significant Findings in Symptom Reduction
Results from the analysis demonstrated a notable decrease in the IBS-SSS total score among those receiving acupuncture, with a reduction of 140.0 points (95% CI: 126.0 to 153.9). In contrast, the sham acupuncture group showed a decrease of only 64.4 points (95% CI: 50.4 to 78.3), leading to a significant between-group difference of 75.6 points. This suggests that acupuncture may have a substantial impact on alleviating IBS symptoms.
Moreover, the benefits of acupuncture were sustained during a follow-up period of four weeks. Patients reported improvements in their overall quality of life and social adaptability without experiencing any serious adverse events related to the treatment.
Broader Implications for Clinical Practice
These findings offer compelling evidence that acupuncture, when combined with standard treatment methods, can be both effective and safe for patients with refractory IBS. This research not only enhances the understanding of acupuncture’s role in managing IBS but also provides healthcare professionals with additional treatment options for patients facing this debilitating condition.
The full details of the study can be accessed in the published paper, which is available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-024-1073-7. This research may pave the way for further exploration into acupuncture as a viable therapeutic approach in gastrointestinal disorders, expanding the landscape of treatment modalities available to patients suffering from chronic IBS symptoms.
