Acupuncture for functional constipation: protocol of an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Integrative Medicine
• Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

• Functional constipation (FC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder.
• Existing systematic reviews suggest acupuncture may benefit FC patients, but lack convincing evidence due to study quality and heterogeneity.
• A need exists for a rigorous meta-analysis using individual patient data (IPD) from high-quality trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the efficacy of acupuncture for treating functional constipation.
• To conduct an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD MA) using high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

• Searched databases for RCTs of acupuncture for adult FC patients (inception to April 2015).
• Contacted authors for raw data and performed IPD meta-analysis using a two-step approach (ANCOVA, then meta-analysis).
• Primary outcome: change in spontaneous defecation frequency; secondary outcomes: responder rates, stool consistency, transit time, laxative use, adverse events.

Main Results:

• The IPD meta-analysis will provide robust evidence on acupuncture's effectiveness for functional constipation.
• Results will be based on harmonized data from high-quality RCTs.

Conclusions:

• This IPD meta-analysis will offer a definitive answer regarding acupuncture's efficacy in treating functional constipation.
• Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.