Authors (including presenting author) :
Siu C(1), Li FP(1), Fung BKY(1), C. LI(1),Kwok SY(2), Tang SF(2), Yam KM(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital; (2) Surgical Department, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
The functional outcomes of contemporary physiotherapy treatments, medications or even surgery for constipated patients with the diagnosis of colonic slow transit are in general not very promising. According to the Cochrane Review, the body electro-acupuncture and auricular acupuncture treatment may help patients with colonic transit constipation.
Objectives :
1. To investigate the difference in colonic transit time measurement between patients with and without electro-acupuncture and auricular acupuncture treatment.
2. To improve the constipation management service especially for patients with colonic slow transit constipation.
3. To plan for the extension of the physiotherapy service in terms of electro-acupuncture for constipated patients with colonic slow transit.
Methodology :
A “Pre-test” vs. “Post-test’ and “Pre-test” design was employed. SPSS was used to analyze the results and the p-value was set as less than 0.05 for statistically significance. All subjects diagnosed as colonic slow transit constipation had the body electro-acupuncture and auricular acupuncture to the specific acupuncture points (body acupuncture points: ST 25, ST 36, ST 37, CV12, LI 4 and LI 11; auricular acupuncture points: CO 7 and HX 2; electrical stimulator settings: 3&10Hz, 300µs, Fast & Slow mode, 30 minutes with comfortable tingling sensation) for 8 sessions. Assessments were done in the first session and the last session. The outcome measures were categorized as: (1) Colonic transit time in day 7; (2) Frequency of defecation per week; (3) Level of straining effort; (4) Straining time; (5) Subjective improvement (NGRCS)
Result & Outcome :
Totally 16 subjects were recruited in this study (4 males & 12 females with average age 52.3 years old and 11.3 years of constipation). The Colonic transit time reduced by 59.5% in day 7 (p=0.02*); the frequency of defecation per week increased by 57.1% (p=0.04*); the level of straining effort decreased by 53.2% (p=0.02*); the straining time reduced by 11.4% (p=0.15) and the mean of NGRCS was 6.1. There are promising positive effects in reducing the transit time, bowel open frequency and straining level during defecation. However, the sample size was small. Future study with larger sample size may be indicated to stipulate the positive effect of body electro-acupuncture and auricular acupuncture for patients with slow transit constipation.
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