The efficacy of acupuncture in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: an integrative review

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in stool frequency and form, as well as symptoms such as bloating and abdominal distension. Its pathophysiology involves complex mechanisms, including visceral hypersensitivity, altered intestinal motility, microbiota dysbiosis, and neuroimmune modulation within the brain-gut axis. Despite the availability of conventional treatments, IBS management remains challenging due to limited long-term efficacy and treatment-related adverse effects. In this context, acupuncture and electroacupuncture have been investigated as complementary approaches capable of modulating brain-gut communication and improving symptom control. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture therapy in the management of IBS in adults. Methods: This integrative review involved a wide search of main databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science), retrieving 1.934 articles, of which 7 were included. The review focused on adults with IBS receiving acupuncture, excluding studies with other comorbidities or non-acupuncture treatments. Article screening was conducted in Rayyan by two blinded researchers, who independently assessed titles and abstracts according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After unblinding, discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Data was then systematically extracted using a standardized protocol. Finally, all information was compiled to this present study. Results: Acupuncture was associated with significant improvements in IBS symptom severity, quality of life, and clinical response compared with conventional pharmacological treatments. Studies demonstrated greater reductions in IBS severity scores, higher response rates, and decreased symptom recurrence among patients receiving acupuncture. Comparisons with sham acupuncture presented inconsistent findings, although acupuncture remained a safe and well-tolerated intervention with a low incidence of adverse events. Conclusion: Acupuncture appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for IBS, improving symptoms and quality of life. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm its long-term role in clinical practice. Keywords: Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Acupuncture; Electroacupuncture; Complementary Therapies.引言：肠易激综合征（Irritable Bowel Syndrome，IBS）是一种常见的慢性功能性胃肠疾病，以反复发作的腹痛伴排便频率、粪便性状改变，以及腹胀、腹部膨隆等症状为特征。其病理生理学机制复杂，涉及内脏高敏感性、肠道动力异常、菌群失调以及脑-肠轴内的神经免疫调节。尽管已有常规治疗手段，但由于长期疗效有限且存在治疗相关不良反应，肠易激综合征的管理仍颇具挑战。在此背景下，针刺与电针作为可调节脑-肠通信、改善症状控制的补充疗法，受到了相关研究关注。 目的：评估针刺疗法用于成人肠易激综合征患者临床管理的疗效。 方法：本整合性综述全面检索了PubMed、Cochrane图书馆（Cochrane Library）、Scopus及Web of Science等主要数据库，共检索到1934篇文献，最终纳入7篇。本综述聚焦于接受针刺治疗的成人肠易激综合征患者，排除合并其他基础疾病或接受非针刺治疗的相关研究。由两名设盲的研究者在Rayyan平台开展文献筛选工作，依据纳入与排除标准独立评估文献标题及摘要。揭盲后，通过协商共识解决分歧。随后采用标准化方案系统性提取研究数据，最终整合所有相关信息形成本研究成果。 结果：与常规药物治疗相比，针刺治疗可显著改善肠易激综合征患者的症状严重程度、生活质量及临床应答情况。相关研究显示，接受针刺治疗的患者肠易激综合征严重程度评分降幅更大、应答率更高，且症状复发率更低。尽管与假针刺治疗的对比结果并不一致，但针刺仍是一种安全、耐受性良好的干预手段，不良事件发生率较低。 结论：针刺似乎是肠易激综合征的有效且安全的治疗选择，可改善患者症状与生活质量。未来仍需开展高质量研究，以明确其在临床实践中的长期应用价值。 关键词：肠易激综合征；针刺；电针；补充疗法。