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Microbial Profiles of Patients With Antipsychotic-Related Constipation Treated With Electroacupuncture
Yuanjia Zheng1, Xiumin Jiang1, Yacen Gao2
1South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Medicine
|November 1, 2021
Summary
Electroacupuncture (EA) effectively treats antipsychotic-related constipation (APRC) by increasing bowel movements and altering gut bacteria. This study suggests EA is a safe and promising option for managing this common medication side effect.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Integrative Medicine
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Antipsychotic-related constipation (APRC) is a frequent and severe side effect of antipsychotic medications.
- Current treatments for APRC have limited efficacy, impacting patient quality of life and posing potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for treating APRC.
- To investigate the impact of EA on the gut microbiota profiles of patients with APRC.
Main Methods:
- A controlled, pilot randomized, sham-electroacupuncture (SEA) study involving 133 APRC patients.
- Participants received either EA or SEA treatment for 4 weeks, with evaluations conducted 8 weeks post-treatment.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze gut microbial diversity before and after treatment.
Main Results:
- Both EA and SEA treatments reduced the need for rescue medications and were well-tolerated.
- EA demonstrated superior efficacy compared to SEA in increasing spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) and reducing rescue measure frequency.
- EA treatment led to significant changes in gut microbiota diversity, including alterations in the genus belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria.
Conclusions:
- Electroacupuncture (EA) is a safe and effective treatment for antipsychotic-related constipation (APRC).
- EA intervention may be associated with beneficialModifications in the gut microbial profile.
- Larger-scale studies are warranted to further explore EA as a clinical treatment for APRC.
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