Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) of Tianshu(ST 25) and medication on the subjective symptoms and the satisfactory degree of functional constipation(FC) patients

and to evaluate the efficacy of different depth-needling.Methods Single-blind

randomized and parallel-controlled methods were adopted in the present study and a total of 95 FC patients were randomly divided into medication group(Lactulose

20-30 mL/d

n=24)

deep needling(DN

about 45 mm beneath the skin) of ST 25 group(n=48)

and shallow needling(SN

about 5 mm beneath the skin) of ST 25 group(n=23).The treatment was given once daily(except weekends) for 4 weeks.The actual number of patients whose defecation frequency was up to 4 times per week

the integrative score of defecation symptoms(defecation exertion degree

abdominal pain

etc.)

and the patients' satisfaction degree after the treatment were recorded and evaluated.Results One

2

3 and 4 weeks after the treatment

of the 48

23 and 24 cases in DN

SN and medication groups

the numbers of FC patints whose defecation was up to 4 times per week were 31(64.58%)

32(66.67%)

34(70.83%) and 37(77.08%)

9(39.13%)

16(69.57%)

15(65.22%) and 14(60.87%)

and 8(33.33%)

7(29.17%)

5(20.83%) and 4(16.67%)

respectively.The effects of DN and SN groups were significantly superior to those of medication group in increasing the number of FC patints whose defecation was up to 4 times per week

improving constipation symptom integrative score(defecation exertion degree

survival desire for defecation

abdominal distension

etc.) and patients' satisfaction degree(P<0.05).Comparison between DN and SN groups showed that the effects of the former group in accelerating the improvement of survival desire for defecation

patients' satisfaction degree were markedly superior to those of the latter group(P<0.05).Conclusion Deep needling-EA of ST 25 has a positive effect in improving functional constipation

being faster in the onset of action and stable efficacy in comparison with shallow needling.