Ancient heat therapy targets gut bugs to ease IBS

NCT ID NCT07308262

Not yet recruiting Knowledge-focused Sponsor: The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a traditional Chinese therapy called umbilical moxibustion (applying heat near the belly button) can help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers will compare gut bacteria and blood chemicals between 60 patients who receive the therapy and those who don't. The goal is to understand how this treatment might work, not to prove it cures IBS.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: umbilical moxibustion (a traditional Chinese therapy involving heat at the belly button)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could reveal how moxibustion changes gut bacteria and metabolites, pointing toward a better understanding of IBS treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study (60 people) focused on understanding mechanisms, not proving a cure. It may not lead to a new treatment, and results may not apply to all IBS patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

irritable bowel syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NON-TARGETED METABOLOMICS

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