Geriatrics Research

Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of moxibustion at the shenque acupoint in the treatment of functional constipation. Methods Computer searches were conducted in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase for randomized controlled trials on moxibustion at the shenque acupoint for the treatment of functional constipation. The search period spanned from the inception of the databases to March 31, 2025. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan5. 4 software, and evidence quality was evaluated using GRADE. Results A total of 11 RCTs were included, with a total sample size of 988 cases, all in Chinese literature. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with the control group, moxibustion on the shenque acupoint for functional constipation could improve the total effective rate(RR=1. 21, 95% CI: 1. 15-1. 27, P<0. 01), improve stool characteristics(MD=-1. 27, 95% CI:-1. 47--1. 07, P<0. 01), enhance quality of life(MD=-8. 20, 95% CI:-13. 59--2. 81, P<0. 01), reduce traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores(SMD=-0. 94, 95% CI:-1. 32--0. 56, P<0. 01) and recurrence rate(RR=0. 57, 95% CI: 0. 43-0. 75, P<0. 01); regarding the incidence of adverse reactions, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(RR=0. 59, 95% CI: 0. 32-1. 09, P=0. 09). The results of the GRADE evidence level assessment indicated that the overall effective rate was of moderate quality evidence, the fecal consistency score and incidence of adverse reactions were of low quality evidence, and the scores for traditional Chinese medicine syndromes, quality of life, and relapse rate were of very low quality evidence. Conclusions Moxibustion at the shenque acupoint has a good therapeutic effect in treating functional constipation, which can improve constipation-related symptoms, and is safe and reliable. However, the quality of existing evidence is limited, and more high-quality research is needed for verification.