Comparison of the therapeutic effects of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation combined with abdominal massage and polyethylene glycol 4000 powder on post-stroke constipation
ZHAO Huajing
HAO Jianwen
HAN Mei
ZHANG Jing
Abstract：Objective To compare the efficacy of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation combined with Chinese ointment for abdominal massage and polyethylene glycol 4000 powder in treating post-stroke constipation.Methods Ninety patients with post-stroke constipation from January 2023 to June 2024 were randomly divided into two groups,with 45 patients in the medication group and 45 patients in the comprehensive rehabilitation group.The medication group took oral polyethylene glycol 4000 powder,while the comprehensive rehabilitation group received transdermal acupoint electrical stimulation combined with traditional Chinese medicine ointment massage for abdominal treatment.Both groups were intervened continuously for 14 days.Symptom changes were evaluated using the Constipation Symptom Assessment Scal,and stool characteristics were classified using the Bristol Stool Characteristics Scale.The patient assessment of constipation quality of life(PAC-QOL)was used to assess the quality of life of constipated patients,and serum levels of motilin and substance P were measured before meals.Results There was no statistically significant difference in various scales,substance P,and motilin between the two groups before treatment.After treatment,the comprehensive rehabilitation group had higher scores for incomplete sagging and bloating than the medication group,and lower scores for stool shape than the medication group,with statistically significant differences.Both Bristol stool classification and PAC-QOL improved,with no statistically significant difference between the groups.There was no statistically significant difference in the level of motilin,but the substance P level in the comprehensive rehabilitation group was higher than that in the medication group,and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with abdominal massage using traditional Chinese herbal ointment demonstrates effects comparable to medication in improving constipation symptoms and enhancing the quality of life in stroke patients.Additionally,this approach elevates Substance P levels and reduces in watery stool consistency.
Keywords：transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulationabdominal massagepolyethylene glycol 4000 powderconstipationsubstance P
Publication Date：2025-10-31
Online Publishing Date：2025-11-17(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 859-862 )