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Effect Comparison of Electro-acupuncture and Prucalopride for Severe Chronic Constipation: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Primary Purpose

Constipation

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
acupuncture
Prucalopride
Sponsored by
Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Constipation focused on measuring severe chronic constipation, randomized controlled, electro-acupuncture, prucalopride

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. meeting Rome Ⅲ criteria for diagnosing functional constipation;
  2. severe chronic constipation (two or fewer CSBMs per week for more than 3 months);
  3. the weekly mean CSBMs are no more than 2 times during the 2-week baseline
  4. aged from 18 to 75 years old
  5. no use of drugs for constipation (emergency treatments should be excepted) during at least 2 weeks before enrollment; no acupuncture treatment for constipation in the previous 1 month; never joined any other trial in progress;
  6. volunteered to join this research and signed the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. irritable bowel syndrome, organic constipation or secondary constipation caused by endocrine, metabolic, nervous, postoperative diseases, or by drugs;
  2. mushy stool or watery stool are showed more than once during baseline when defecating spontaneously without any laxative (Bristol stool type 6 or 7);
  3. history of pelvic floor dysfunction;
  4. taking medicine in progress which can induce constipation;
  5. severe hemorrhoid or anal fissure;
  6. constipation with serious cardiovascular, hepatic or renal diseases, cognitive dysfunction, abdominal aortic aneurysm or hepatosplenomegaly, aphasia, mental disorders, or illness which affects the cooperation for examination and treatment;
  7. women in gestation or lactation period;
  8. blood coagulation disorders or using anticoagulants regularly such as Warfarin and Heparin;
  9. cardiac pacemaker carrier.

Sites / Locations

    Arms of the Study

    Arm 1

    Arm 2

    Arm Type

    Experimental

    Active Comparator

    Arm Label

    Electro-acupuncture

    Prucalopride

    Arm Description

    Electro-acupuncture at bilateral ST25, SP14 ,and ST37. Patients will be treated once per day for 30 min, 5 times/week for the first 2 weeks, and 3 times/week for the next 6 weeks.

    Prucalopride Succinate taken orally, 2mg/day in the morning before breakfast

    Outcomes

    Primary Outcome Measures

    the Proportion of Participants With ≥3 Mean Weekly CSBMs Over Weeks 3-8
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Calculation method: First, the mean weekly CSBMs of each patient were calculated over weeks 3-8. Second, we got the number of patients with 3 or more mean weekly CSMBs. Third, we got the proportion of participants through dividing that number by the total cases at baseline, and multiplying by 100%. Assessing time frame: the latter 6 weeks of treatment (weeks 3-8).

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    the Proportion of Participants With ≥3 Mean Weekly CSBMs Over Weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Calculation method: First, the mean weekly CSBMs of each patient were calculated over weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32. Second, we got the number of patients with 3 or more mean weekly CSMBs. Third, we got the proportion of participants through dividing that number by the total cases at baseline, and multiplying by 100%. Assessing time frame: weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    the Proportion of Participants With ≥1 Increase in Mean Weekly CSBMs From Baseline Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Calculation method: First, the increase in mean weekly CSBMs of each patient from baseline were calculated over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32. Second, we got the number of patients with ≥1 increase in the mean weekly CSMBs from baseline. Third, we got the proportion of participants through dividing that number by the total cases at baseline, and multiplying by 100%. Assessing time frame: weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Mean Weekly CSBMs and Its Change From Baseline Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Mean Weekly SBMs and Its Change From Baseline Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    the Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Stool Consistency for Each SBM Over Weeks 1-2 and 3-8.
    The change from baseline in the mean score of stool consistency of each SBM over weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-8. Assessing time: baseline, weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-8. Patients will self-report their stool consistency of each SBM according to the 7-type Bristol Stool Form Scale (scored by 1 to 7 respectively). Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass); Type 2: Sausage-shaped, but lumpy; Type 3: Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface; Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft; Type 5: Soft blobs with clear cut edges (passed easily); Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool; Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces. Entirely liquid. Type 3 and 4 were deemed as a normal stool.
    the Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Straining for Each SBM Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    The change from baseline in the mean score of straining of each SBM over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 9-12, 9-16, 9-20, 9-32. Assessing time: baseline, weeks 1-2, 3-8, 9-12, 9-16, 9-20, 9-32. Patients will self-report their straining degree of each SBM in the defecation diaries according to the following scale. 0 = not difficult; 1 = a little difficult, need some straining to defecate; 2 = difficult, need straining to defecate; 3 = very difficult, need hard straining to defecate. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
    Time to the First CSBMs
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Time to the first CSBMs was counted by days. Rescue medicine or other measurements for constipation is not allowed to be used 48 hours before and after the first treatment for evaluating the time to the first complete spontaneous bowel movement. Participants were assessed after the first treatment until they having their first CSBMs.
    Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life
    The change from baseline of the score of Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) at week 4 and week 8. PAC-QOL is a self-report questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life in patients with constipation, which was distributed by Mapi Research Trust in France. This questionnaire contains 28 items including 4 basic parts of physical discomfort, worries and concerns, psychosocial discomfort, and satisfaction. We use the Chinese version in our trial. Assessing point: baseline, week 4 and week 8. The score of PAC-QOL ranged from 1 to 5 (1 indicates no discomfort or feeling very satisfied, 5 indicates extreme severity and always appears or feeling very dissatisfied).

    Full Information

    First Posted
    January 23, 2014
    Last Updated
    February 24, 2021
    Sponsor
    Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
    Collaborators
    Ministry of Science and Technology of the People´s Republic of China
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    1. Study Identification

    Unique Protocol Identification Number
    NCT02047045
    Brief Title
    Effect Comparison of Electro-acupuncture and Prucalopride for Severe Chronic Constipation: a Randomized Controlled Trial
    Official Title
    Effect Comparison of Electro-acupuncture and Prucalopride for Severe Chronic Constipation: a Multi-center Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trial
    Study Type
    Interventional

    2. Study Status

    Record Verification Date
    February 2021
    Overall Recruitment Status
    Completed
    Study Start Date
    April 2014 (undefined)
    Primary Completion Date
    August 2016 (Actual)
    Study Completion Date
    May 2017 (Actual)

    3. Sponsor/Collaborators

    Responsible Party, by Official Title
    Principal Investigator
    Name of the Sponsor
    Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
    Collaborators
    Ministry of Science and Technology of the People´s Republic of China

    4. Oversight

    Data Monitoring Committee
    No

    5. Study Description

    Brief Summary
    This trial is primarily aimed to compare the effect and safety of electro-acupuncture and prucalopride for severe chronic constipation: if the short-term effect of electro-acupuncture is no inferior to prucalopride? Besides, the investigators will also mainly confirm the superiority of electro-acupuncture: if the effect of electro-acupuncture can last for 3~6 months? Then, assess the patients' acceptance of electro-acupuncture.
    Detailed Description
    Study design: this trial is a multi-central randomized controlled trial which contains 14 centers. Random sequences will be generated by the clinical evaluating center of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Subjects are patients who have severe chronic constipation. Sample size evaluation: Sample size will be based on the proportion of patients having mean complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) no less than 3 times per week. The proportion is 31.67% in our phase I clinical trial by using electro-acupuncture, and 30.9% in another trial by using prucalopride.The total sample size is 560. Periods and primary outcome: participants will be assessed at baseline for 2 weeks, treated for 8 weeks, and followed up for 24 weeks. Primary outcome is the proportion of patients having mean CSBMs/week no less than 3 times over the latter 6-week treatment. Quality control: the study is a randomized controlled trial; participants were included strictly; evaluators and statisticians are blinded; quality control officers of 3 different levels will supervise this trial. Data management: this trial will use the Remote Dara Capture (RDC) system for data entering and Data Verification Plan (DVP) for data examining. Statistical analysis: Intention-To-Treat (ITT) analysis will be used in this study. One-sided test (non-inferiority) will be used for testing the primary outcomes; meanwhile, two-sided test will be used for evaluating other outcomes. A P value equal to or less than 0.05 is considered to indicate statistical significance.

    6. Conditions and Keywords

    Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
    Constipation
    Keywords
    severe chronic constipation, randomized controlled, electro-acupuncture, prucalopride

    7. Study Design

    Primary Purpose
    Treatment
    Study Phase
    Not Applicable
    Interventional Study Model
    Parallel Assignment
    Masking
    Outcomes Assessor
    Allocation
    Randomized
    Enrollment
    560 (Actual)

    8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

    Arm Title
    Electro-acupuncture
    Arm Type
    Experimental
    Arm Description
    Electro-acupuncture at bilateral ST25, SP14 ,and ST37. Patients will be treated once per day for 30 min, 5 times/week for the first 2 weeks, and 3 times/week for the next 6 weeks.
    Arm Title
    Prucalopride
    Arm Type
    Active Comparator
    Arm Description
    Prucalopride Succinate taken orally, 2mg/day in the morning before breakfast
    Intervention Type
    Procedure
    Intervention Name(s)
    acupuncture
    Other Intervention Name(s)
    eletro-acupuncture
    Intervention Description
    Electro-acupuncture at bilateral ST25, SP14 ,and ST37. Patients will be treated once per day for 30 minutes, 5 times/week for the first 2 weeks and 3 times/week for the next 6 weeks. Each treatment cycle will include 28 sessions for continuous 8 weeks.
    Intervention Type
    Drug
    Intervention Name(s)
    Prucalopride
    Other Intervention Name(s)
    serotonin 5-HT(4) receptor agonist
    Intervention Description
    Prucalopride Succinate will be taken orally at the dose of 2mg/day in the morning before breakfast. Each treatment cycle will be given for continuous 32 weeks.
    Primary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    the Proportion of Participants With ≥3 Mean Weekly CSBMs Over Weeks 3-8
    Description
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Calculation method: First, the mean weekly CSBMs of each patient were calculated over weeks 3-8. Second, we got the number of patients with 3 or more mean weekly CSMBs. Third, we got the proportion of participants through dividing that number by the total cases at baseline, and multiplying by 100%. Assessing time frame: the latter 6 weeks of treatment (weeks 3-8).
    Time Frame
    over weeks 3-8 (the latter 6-week treatment)
    Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    the Proportion of Participants With ≥3 Mean Weekly CSBMs Over Weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Description
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Calculation method: First, the mean weekly CSBMs of each patient were calculated over weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32. Second, we got the number of patients with 3 or more mean weekly CSMBs. Third, we got the proportion of participants through dividing that number by the total cases at baseline, and multiplying by 100%. Assessing time frame: weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    the Proportion of Participants With ≥1 Increase in Mean Weekly CSBMs From Baseline Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Description
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Calculation method: First, the increase in mean weekly CSBMs of each patient from baseline were calculated over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32. Second, we got the number of patients with ≥1 increase in the mean weekly CSMBs from baseline. Third, we got the proportion of participants through dividing that number by the total cases at baseline, and multiplying by 100%. Assessing time frame: weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    Mean Weekly CSBMs and Its Change From Baseline Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    Mean Weekly SBMs and Its Change From Baseline Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    the Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Stool Consistency for Each SBM Over Weeks 1-2 and 3-8.
    Description
    The change from baseline in the mean score of stool consistency of each SBM over weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-8. Assessing time: baseline, weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-8. Patients will self-report their stool consistency of each SBM according to the 7-type Bristol Stool Form Scale (scored by 1 to 7 respectively). Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass); Type 2: Sausage-shaped, but lumpy; Type 3: Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface; Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft; Type 5: Soft blobs with clear cut edges (passed easily); Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool; Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces. Entirely liquid. Type 3 and 4 were deemed as a normal stool.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8.
    Title
    the Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Straining for Each SBM Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Description
    The change from baseline in the mean score of straining of each SBM over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 9-12, 9-16, 9-20, 9-32. Assessing time: baseline, weeks 1-2, 3-8, 9-12, 9-16, 9-20, 9-32. Patients will self-report their straining degree of each SBM in the defecation diaries according to the following scale. 0 = not difficult; 1 = a little difficult, need some straining to defecate; 2 = difficult, need straining to defecate; 3 = very difficult, need hard straining to defecate. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    Time to the First CSBMs
    Description
    Abbreviation: CSBMs, complete spontaneous bowel movements. Time to the first CSBMs was counted by days. Rescue medicine or other measurements for constipation is not allowed to be used 48 hours before and after the first treatment for evaluating the time to the first complete spontaneous bowel movement. Participants were assessed after the first treatment until they having their first CSBMs.
    Time Frame
    from the time of their first treatment to the time they having their first CSBMs
    Title
    Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life
    Description
    The change from baseline of the score of Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) at week 4 and week 8. PAC-QOL is a self-report questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life in patients with constipation, which was distributed by Mapi Research Trust in France. This questionnaire contains 28 items including 4 basic parts of physical discomfort, worries and concerns, psychosocial discomfort, and satisfaction. We use the Chinese version in our trial. Assessing point: baseline, week 4 and week 8. The score of PAC-QOL ranged from 1 to 5 (1 indicates no discomfort or feeling very satisfied, 5 indicates extreme severity and always appears or feeling very dissatisfied).
    Time Frame
    week 4 and week 8
    Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures:
    Title
    Proportion of Patients Using Rescue Medicine Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    Average Dosage of Bisacodyl Used Weekly Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Title
    Average Dosage of Glycerine Enema Used Weekly Over Weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.
    Time Frame
    over weeks 1-2, 3-8, 11-12, 15-16, 19-20, 31-32.

    10. Eligibility

    Sex
    All
    Minimum Age & Unit of Time
    18 Years
    Maximum Age & Unit of Time
    75 Years
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers
    No
    Eligibility Criteria
    Inclusion Criteria: meeting Rome Ⅲ criteria for diagnosing functional constipation; severe chronic constipation (two or fewer CSBMs per week for more than 3 months); the weekly mean CSBMs are no more than 2 times during the 2-week baseline aged from 18 to 75 years old no use of drugs for constipation (emergency treatments should be excepted) during at least 2 weeks before enrollment; no acupuncture treatment for constipation in the previous 1 month; never joined any other trial in progress; volunteered to join this research and signed the informed consent Exclusion Criteria: irritable bowel syndrome, organic constipation or secondary constipation caused by endocrine, metabolic, nervous, postoperative diseases, or by drugs; mushy stool or watery stool are showed more than once during baseline when defecating spontaneously without any laxative (Bristol stool type 6 or 7); history of pelvic floor dysfunction; taking medicine in progress which can induce constipation; severe hemorrhoid or anal fissure; constipation with serious cardiovascular, hepatic or renal diseases, cognitive dysfunction, abdominal aortic aneurysm or hepatosplenomegaly, aphasia, mental disorders, or illness which affects the cooperation for examination and treatment; women in gestation or lactation period; blood coagulation disorders or using anticoagulants regularly such as Warfarin and Heparin; cardiac pacemaker carrier.
    Overall Study Officials:
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
    Zhishun Liu, Ph.D
    Organizational Affiliation
    Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
    Official's Role
    Study Chair

    12. IPD Sharing Statement

    Plan to Share IPD
    Yes
    IPD Sharing Plan Description
    Data sharing study protocol, informed consent form, and statistical analysis plan are in the supplementary digital files with the clinical report. For statistical code and data sets, proposals should be directed to yanshiyan0927@sina.com, and requestors need to sign a data access agreement, if approved.
    IPD Sharing Time Frame
    Within six months after the publication of the clinical report
    IPD Sharing Access Criteria
    For statistical code and data sets, proposals should be directed to yanshiyan0927@sina.com, and requestors need to sign a data access agreement, if approved.
    Citations:
    PubMed Identifier
    25055821
    Citation
    Liu B, Wang Y, Wu J, Mo Q, Wang W, He L, Yan S, Liu Z. Effect of electroacupuncture versus prucalopride for severe chronic constipation: protocol of a multi-centre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Jul 23;14:260. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-260.
    Results Reference
    background
    PubMed Identifier
    33273258
    Citation
    Liu B, Wu J, Yan S, Zhou K, He L, Fang J, Fu W, Li N, Su T, Sun J, Zhang W, Yue Z, Zhang H, Zhao J, Zhou Z, Song H, Wang J, Liu L, Wang L, Lv X, Yang X, Liu Y, Sun Y, Wang Y, Qin Z, Zhou J, Liu Z. Electroacupuncture vs Prucalopride for Severe Chronic Constipation: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Noninferiority Trial. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 May 1;116(5):1024-1035. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001050.
    Results Reference
    result

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    Effect Comparison of Electro-acupuncture and Prucalopride for Severe Chronic Constipation: a Randomized Controlled Trial

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