Actively Recruiting
Electro-acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation
Led by Nanyang Technological University · Updated on 2026-04-09
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
93 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
Nanyang Technological University
Lead Sponsor
N
National University of Singapore
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The aim of the clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) patients. 60 IBS-C patients will be randomized and allocated to either the electro-acupuncture arm or the sham acupuncture arm. We hypothesize that electro-acupuncture would result in superior symptom improvement compared to sham acupuncture. In addition, biological samples (blood, urine, and stool) will be collected during the trial for future exploratory studies. These samples will be used to investigate changes in gut microbiota composition and related metabolites. These analyses aim to explore potential mechanistic links between electro-acupuncture interventions and clinical outcomes in subsequent research. Apart from the IBS-C participants, 30 healthy volunteers aged 21 to 65 years (inclusive) will be recruited to provide blood, urine, and stool samples. These samples will serve as a reference for comparative analyses with those from IBS-C patients before and after electro-acupuncture treatment. The healthy controls will not receive any interventions.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Electro-acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Fulfilment of the Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
- Age between 21 and 65 years (inclusive)
- Weekly average of worst daily abdominal pain score of 3 or higher on a 0-10 scale for at least 12 weeks before the first visit and during screening
- Less than 3 complete spontaneous bowel movements per week for at least 12 weeks before the first visit and during screening
- Written informed consent provided
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy or breast-feeding
- History of inflammatory bowel diseases, carbohydrate malabsorption, hormonal disorders, known allergies to food additives, or any other serious diseases
- Previous gastrointestinal tract segment removal or bariatric surgery for obesity
- Appendectomy or cholecystectomy within the past 2 months, or other abdominal surgeries within the past 6 months prior to enrollment
- Unstable medical conditions that could cause abdominal pain or affect trial assessments (e.g., chronic kidney disease, endometriosis, lactose intolerance)
- Diagnosis of primary severe mental illness
- Acupuncture treatment within the last three months or use of medications affecting gastrointestinal motility or sensation (e.g., antidiarrheal agents, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, anticholinergics)
- Alcoholism or drug abuse in the past year
- Needle phobia or allergy to acupuncture needle materials
- Antibiotics or probiotics/prebiotics use in the previous month
- Participation in other clinical studies
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, 637551
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Linda LD Zhong, MD., PhD
CONTACT
W
Wai Ching Lam, MPH
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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