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

NCT07496697 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-03-27

No results posted yet for this study

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.

Conditions

  • Gastrointestinal Motility
  • Healthy

Interventions

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Minh Quan Le Hoang, MSc, MD · University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-30
Primary Completion
2026-05-30
Completion
2026-08-30

Countries

  • Vietnam

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07496697 on ClinicalTrials.gov