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

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.