Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Fulfilment of the Rome IV criteria for IBS-C; 2. Age of 21 to 65 years (inclusive); 3. Weekly average of worst daily abdominal pain score of ≥3 (0-10 scale) for at least 12 weeks before the first visit and during screening period; 4. \<3 complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week for at least 12 weeks before the first visit and during screening period; 5. Written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy or breast-feeding; 2. Medical history of inflammatory bowel diseases, carbohydrate malabsorption, hormonal disorder, known allergies to food additives, and/or any other serious diseases; 3. History of gastrointestinal tract segment removal or bariatric surgery for obesity; 4. Appendectomy or cholecystectomy within the past 2 months, or other abdominal surgeries within the past 6 months prior to trial enrollment; 5. Unstable medical conditions that could be associated with abdominal pain or discomfort and could potentially influence the assessments in this trial (e.g., chronic kidney disease, endometriosis, lactose intolerance); 6. Diagnosed with primary severe mental illness; 7. Patients who have received acupuncture treatment in last three months, or took concomitant medication with affect gastrointestinal motility or visceral sensation, such as antidiarrheal agent, antidepressant, narcotic analgesic, and anticholinergic; 8. Alcoholism or drug abuse in past 1 year; 9. Having needle phobia or allergy to acupuncture needle materials; 10. Antibiotics and probiotics/prebiotics usage in the previous month; 11. Participating in other clinical studies.