Effects of short-term acupoint massage combined with local heat stimulation on gut microbiota in constipated hemodialysis patients

Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) experience a high prevalence of constipation, largely attributable to fluid restriction, electrolyte imbalance, and reduced gastrointestinal motility, while long-term use of pharmacological laxatives is often constrained by safety considerations and treatment burden. Acupoint massage combined with local heat stimulation represents a non-invasive external intervention that has demonstrated potential benefits in relieving constipation symptoms. Nevertheless, evidence regarding its impact on the gut microbiota, particularly under short-term intervention conditions, remains limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term acupoint massage combined with local heat stimulation on constipation-related clinical outcomes, as well as on the structure and predicted function of the gut microbiota in constipated MHD patients.