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Acupuncture can be effective in relieving symptoms of chronic irritable bowel syndrome
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Efficacy of acupuncture in refractory irritable bowel syndrome: results of a randomized controlled trial
A recent randomized controlled trial has highlighted the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impacts quality of life and is often resistant to conventional treatment. The multicenter study, conducted in China, examined the effects of true acupuncture (TA) versus sham acupuncture (SA) on patients who had failed to respond to standard therapies. The results showed that TA can significantly improve IBS symptoms, offering a potentially effective alternative treatment option for sufferers of this condition.
The study was carefully designed to provide a reliable assessment of the effects of acupuncture on IBS. It included 170 participants aged 18–70 years who were diagnosed with refractory IBS according to the Rome IV criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to the TA group or the IA group in a 1:1 ratio. The TA group received treatment at specific acupuncture points known to influence gastrointestinal function, while the IA group underwent superficial needling at non-acupuncture points. Both groups underwent 12 sessions over 4 weeks, in addition to their usual care.
The primary outcome measure was the change in the total Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score from baseline to week 4. Secondary outcomes included changes in IBS-SSS scores for each domain, response rate defined as adequate relief of IBS symptoms, and changes in quality of life, anxiety, and depression.
The results were promising: participants in the TA group showed a significantly greater reduction in the IBS-SSS total score compared to the IA group. This indicated a significant improvement in symptom severity, including abdominal pain, distension, and impact on daily life. The response rate, defined as a 50-point reduction in the IBS-SSS total score, was significantly higher in the TA group. In addition, the benefits of TA were observed throughout the 4-week follow-up period, indicating a long-lasting effect beyond the treatment period.
Regarding secondary outcomes, the TA group demonstrated a significant improvement in quality of life, as measured by the IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire. There was also a positive trend towards a reduction in anxiety symptoms, although the changes in depression scores were not significant. The study also showed that TA was well tolerated: only mild and transient side effects such as subcutaneous hematoma and residual needle sensation were reported.
Despite the study’s rigorous methodology, there were some limitations. Acupuncturists could not be blinded to group assignment, which could introduce bias. Additionally, the study was conducted in China, and the results may not be generalizable to other populations with different disease rates and health care systems. The study also did not control for potential influences from other treatments that participants may have been using concurrently, although efforts were made to document these.
This randomized controlled trial provides significant evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving symptoms of refractory IBS. The study results are an important contribution to the field of integrative medicine, indicating that acupuncture may be a viable adjunctive treatment for patients with IBS who are unresponsive to conventional therapies. Future studies should seek to replicate these findings in diverse populations and investigate the mechanisms by which acupuncture works on IBS.