Ziwu Liuzhu electronic moxibustion plus ear-point therapy for constipation after stroke

A Study on the Effect of Electronic Moxibustion Based on Ziwu Liuzhu in Treating Constipation in Stroke Patients

This will test whether Ziwu Liuzhu electronic moxibustion combined with auricular (ear) point therapy helps relieve constipation in people who have had a stroke.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 105 (estimated)
• Ages: 30 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Jinhua, Zhejiang)
• Trial ID: NCT07372326 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study compares outcomes in stroke patients with constipation who receive electronic moxibustion guided by Ziwu Liuzhu theory either alone or combined with auricular point therapy. Participants who meet both Western and traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic criteria and have stable conditions will be enrolled and receive scheduled treatment sessions. Primary outcomes focus on constipation symptoms and related clinical measures over the treatment period, with safety and tolerability monitored. The trial is conducted at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Jinhua, Zhejiang.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are stroke survivors with new-onset constipation after the stroke, medically stable, willing to receive moxibustion, and without damaged local skin.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing constipation before the stroke, organic gastrointestinal disease, severe organ or coagulation disorders, or who cannot tolerate moxibustion are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug option to reduce constipation and improve comfort for people recovering from stroke.

How similar studies have performed: Some studies of acupuncture and traditional moxibustion report benefits for functional constipation, but electronic moxibustion guided by Ziwu Liuzhu combined with auricular points is relatively novel and has limited high-quality evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

1. Meets the diagnostic criteria of both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, and has not undergone surgery or other internal medical treatments, with the occurrence of constipation;
2. The condition is stable, without severe clinical complications;
3. Can accept moxibustion treatment, and the local skin is undamaged;
4. Those who agree to participate in this study and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Digestive tract disorders, such as intestinal polyps, tuberculosis, and tumors. Irritable bowel syndrome or constipation secondary to organic diseases (such as endocrine, metabolic or post-operative diseases); abdominal aneurysm, hepatosplenomegaly, or severe cardiovascular, liver, kidney or mental disorders and coagulation disorders.
2. The patient had constipation before the stroke.
3. The patient withdrew from the study due to other reasons during the course of the study.

Dropout criteria and termination criteria:

1. Patients who have not received the prescribed treatment and whose therapeutic effect cannot be determined;
2. Patients who experience serious adverse events or complications and are not suitable to continue the treatment and thus the trial is terminated;
3. Patients with poor compliance, who withdraw from the treatment during the course of the trial, or who use treatment methods prohibited by this protocol concurrently, or who change the treatment method halfway on their own.

Note: For any patient meeting any of the above criteria 1, they will be handled as a dropout case.

Where this trial is running

Jinhua, Zhejiang

• 4th Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University — Jinhua, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: ruirui Fan

Conditions Stroke Patients With Constipation; cerebral hemorrhage; constipation; midnight-midday ebb flow; electronic moxibustion