Effect of Electroacupuncture in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Chinese University of Hong Kong

      Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive disorder that affects more than
      5% of population in Hong Kong. However, there is no effective treatment of IBS using Western
      Medicine. Acupuncture, a traditional therapeutic modality, has been used in China for
      thousands of years for various pain disorders. In addition to analgesia, acupuncture has also
      been shown to influence physiology of gastrointestinal tract. The investigators set out to
      evaluate the therapeutic value of acupuncture in IBS. The investigators will study its
      effects on rectal sensation and brain activity in patients with IBS.

      All patients will be evaluated for study eligibility at visit 1 (baseline). Baseline
      assessment includes individual IBS symptoms (pain/discomfort, bloating, constipation, and
      diarrhea) as perceived by patients will be scored. The syndrome of IBS patients will also be
      recorded and analyzed based on the Chinese medicine theories. All patients will then undergo
      baseline rectal barostat for thresholds of rectal sensation. At visit 2, eligible patients
      will be randomly assigned to either (1) electroacupuncture or (2) sham electroacupuncture
      treatment groups. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning will be performed
      before, during and after the electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture treatment.
    
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