Can needles ease tummy troubles? new study tests electro-acupuncture for IBS-C
NCT ID NCT06219707
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This completed pilot study tested whether electro-acupuncture can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Sixty IBS-C patients were randomly assigned to receive either real electro-acupuncture or a sham (fake) version. The study also collected blood, urine, and stool samples to explore how acupuncture might affect gut bacteria. The goal was to see if real acupuncture leads to better pain relief and more regular bowel movements compared to the sham treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
electro-acupuncture
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-drug option for managing IBS-C symptoms like pain and constipation.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study (60 participants) with no phase, so results are preliminary and may not apply to everyone. The sham control may also show some benefit, making it hard to prove real effect.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME WITH CONSTIPATION are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Nanyang Technological University, School of Biological Sciences
Singapore, Singapore, 637551, Singapore