Baliao Acupoint Stimulation toTreat Functional Constipation

This study is a randomized controlled trial that explores how a specific acupuncture treatment might help people with functional constipation. The investigators are testing the idea that a treatment called "acupuncture at the Baliao acupoints" could work by changing the way certain parts of the brain connect and function. These brain changes might help improve gut function and relieve constipation symptoms. The investigators will work with people who have functional constipation. Some participants will receive the real Baliao acupoint thread embedding, while others will get a sham acupuncture as a comparison. Using special brain imaging techniques, the investigators will look at how the brain's connections and structures change. The investigators will also track how often participants have bowel movements, the consistency of their stools, and their overall symptoms and quality of life. By comparing these results, the investigators hope to understand how the Baliao acupoint treatment works and why it might be effective for constipation.

NCT Number	NCT07010367
Lead Sponsor	Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Collaborators: Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
Conditions	Functional Constipation (FC)
Enrollment	36 participants
Start Date	2025-06-20
Primary Completion	2026-06-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-07-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-06-08