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Acupuncture for treatment of hospital-induced constipation in children: a retrospective case series study
Eric Falk Anders1, Annette Findeisen, Andreas Nowak
1Department of Paediatrics, Carl Gustav Carus-TU Dresden, Fetscher Str. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. eric.anders@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Insights
Acupuncture is a feasible and well-accepted treatment for hospital-induced constipation (HIC) in children. This approach effectively resolved constipation in all participants, avoiding the need for laxatives.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Functional bowel disorders are common in children.
- Hospital-induced constipation (HIC) presents a significant clinical challenge.
- Acupuncture is being explored as a novel therapeutic option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and acceptance of acupuncture for treating HIC in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of acupuncture in resolving HIC.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 10 children diagnosed with HIC.
- Application of bilateral acupuncture stimulation at the LI11 point using indwelling needles.
- Clinical records were analyzed for feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture was successfully implemented in all pediatric patients.
- Indwelling needle placement was well-tolerated, with no observed side effects.
- All children experienced defecation within 2 hours post-acupuncture stimulation, resolving HIC.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture presents a feasible and acceptable treatment modality for hospital-induced constipation in children.
- The findings suggest acupuncture's efficacy warrants further investigation.
- A randomized controlled trial is recommended to validate these results.
Objective:
Acupuncture is a promising option in the treatment of functional bowel disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of acupuncture for the treatment of hospital-induced constipation (HIC) in children.
Methods:
Bilateral stimulation of acupuncture point LI11 was applied in 10 children with HIC using fixed indwelling acupuncture needles (0.9 mm long) before considering starting conventional local constipation therapy with laxative suppositories. The clinical records were studied retrospectively for feasibility, acceptance and effectiveness of acupuncture.
Results:
Acupuncture was feasible in all children and application of the indwelling needles was tolerated without fear. Side effects were not observed. After a median of 3 days of HIC, all children defaecated within 2 h after LI11 stimulation. No patient required conventional local constipation therapy.
Conclusions:
Acupuncture for the treatment of HIC is feasible and acceptable. Its effect should be verified in a randomised controlled trial.