NCT07496697

Effects of Electroacupuncture at NP82 and SP15 on Bowel Motility in Healthy Subjects

Investigation of Bowel Motility Changes Following Electroacupuncture at NP82 (Tongbian) and SP15 (Daheng) Acupoint Pair in Healthy Volunteers

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate how a specific combination of electroacupuncture points, Tongbian (NP82) and Daheng (SP15), affects bowel movements in healthy volunteers. Constipation is a significant health issue, especially for post-stroke patients, and current treatments like laxatives often have unwanted side effects. The researchers want to determine if stimulating these two acupuncture points can objectively increase the frequency of bowel activity. Participants will undergo a three-stage procedure: a 30-minute period of baseline bowel sound recording, followed by 20 minutes of electroacupuncture stimulation at the specific points, and a final 30-minute recording period after the intervention. Throughout the study, an advanced digital stethoscope (3M™ Littmann® CORE) will be used to record bowel sounds objectively. This data will then be analyzed to measure any significant changes in bowel motility caused by the acupuncture.

Detailed description

Background and Rationale: Bowel motility is a fundamental physiological function regulated by the autonomic nervous system. This study explores the potential of electroacupuncture (EA) to modulate this activity using a unique acupoint combination: Dai Hoanh (SP15), a classic point known for regulating the Spleen and Stomach, and Thong Tien (NP82), a newly proposed "extra point" specifically indicated for treating paralysis-related constipation in traditional literature. The study aims to provide the first modern scientific evidence for the effectiveness of NP82 in stimulating bowel motility. Methodology: The study follows a before-and-after intervention design involving 30 healthy volunteers. To ensure objective measurement, bowel sounds are recorded using the 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope, which amplifies sounds and allows for computerized analysis, overcoming the subjectivity of traditional auscultation. The procedure consists of three phases: 1. Baseline Phase: Continuous 30-minute recording of bowel sounds to establish a physiological reference. 2. Intervention Phase: Simultaneous 20-minute recording during EA. Sterile needles (0.30×40mm) are inserted into NP82 and SP15 points until "De Qi" sensation is achieved. Stimulation utilizes a dense-disperse wave at a 10 Hz frequency, with intensity adjusted (0.1-1 mA) based on participant tolerance. 3. Post-intervention Phase: Continuous 30-minute recording after needle removal to evaluate sustained effects. Data Analysis: The primary quantitative variable is the Bowel Sound Interval (SSI), defined as the time between bowel sound events. Statistical analysis will be performed using Stata 17.0, employing Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare bowel sound frequencies across the three phases with a significance level of p \< 0.05.

Conditions

• Gastrointestinal Motility
• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Electroacupuncture at NP82 (Tongbian) and SP15 (Daheng)	The intervention is performed by practitioners with at least 3 years of experience. Sterile acupuncture needles (0.30×40mm) are inserted vertically into the Tongbian (NP82 - located 3 cun lateral to the umbilicus) and Daheng (SP15 - located 4 cun lateral to the umbilicus) acupoints. Insertion depth ranges from 20 to 65 mm depending on the participant's body type, aiming to achieve the "De Qi" sensation (aching, heaviness, and tension). Electrical stimulation is applied using a Hwato SDZ-III device with a dense-disperse wave at a frequency of 10 Hz for 20 minutes. The current intensity is adjusted (0.1-1 mA) until a mild muscle vibration is visible without causing pain to the participant.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-30
• Primary completion: 2026-05-30
• Completion: 2026-08-30
• First posted: 2026-03-27
• Last updated: 2026-03-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Vietnam