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Table 1 Summary of randomized clinical studies of moxibustion for constipation

From: Effects of moxibustion for constipation treatment: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

First author

Sample size Condition Age range or mean age (years) Gender (M/F) Diagnosis criteria Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

Intervention group (regimens)

Control group (regimens)

Main outcomes

Results (P value, RR, 95%CI)

Adverse events

Du (2008) [15]

160 postpartum women 23-42, (0/160) n.r. Rome II (Once per 10 days) n.r.

Moxa (once daily, total 6 treatments, n = 80) Tongbian acupoint (Bilateral) Indirect

Drug (Glycerine Enema, once daily for 14 days, total 14 treatment, n = 80)

Response rate*

P < 0.01, RR 1.27, 95%CI [1.13, 1.42]

n.r.

Li (2001) [16]

60 n.r. Moxa: 51, (12/28) Drug: n.r. (similar with moxa group) n.r. Gastrointestinal heat accumulation, body fluid deficiency

Moxa(once daily, total 5 treatment, n = 40) CV8 Indirect

Drug (Glycerine Enema, once daily for 5 days, n = 20)

Response rate†

P < 0.01, RR 1.50, 95%CI [1.08,2.08]

n.r.

Kwon (2005) [17]

36 stroke patients n.r. (20/16) Rome II (Twice weekly) None

Moxa (total 28 treatment for 4 weeks, n = 17) ST25(Bilateral) Indirect

No treatment (n = 19)

1) Stool frequency

2) Constipation Assessment Scale

1) P = 0.0001

2) P = 0.0001

Itching, skin eruption, eyes stinging from the smoke

  1. CAS: Constipation Assessment Scale, n.r: not reported; CVD: cardiovascular disorders; * 1) Recovery: 1-2/d bowel movement, discharge unobstructed, without the help of laxatives; 2) Improvement: defecation shorter time than before treatment, alleviate symptoms, but the need to laxative; 3) Ineffective: general and local symptoms did not improve; † 1) Markedly effective: fecal excretion of smooth, no pain,1~2 time/d; 2) Effective: constipation improved, excretion 1 time/d; 3) Ineffective: after a course of treatment after treatment, no obvious improvement in constipation symptoms.