Table 2.
Baseline demographic characteristics and VAS-IBS total scores.
| Parameter | Group EA (n = 41) | Group Mox (n = 41) |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Female (%) | 60.98 | 65.29 |
| Male (%) | 39.02 | 34.71 |
| Age yr (mean, (min, max)) |
39.45 (19, 61) | 40.26 (20, 64) |
| Course of disease yr (mean ± SD) |
6.47 ± 3.84 | 7.28 ± 5.44 |
| Current medication | ||
| Yes (%) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| No (%) | 41 (100.00) | 41 (100.00) |
| VAS-IBS total score (mean ± SD) |
253.49 ± 45.93 | 250.24 ± 41.08 |
| IBS subtype | ||
| IBS-D (%) | 17 (41.46) | 18 (43.90) |
| IBS-C (%) | 19 (46.34) | 17 (41.46) |
| IBS-A/IBS-M (%) | 5 (12.20) | 6 (14.63) |
Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome; EA: electroacupuncture; Mox: moxibustion; SD: standard deviation; IBS-C: irritable bowel syndrome with constipation; IBS-D: irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea; IBS-M: mixed irritable bowel syndrome (with both diarrhoea and constipation >25% of bowel movements); and IBS-A: alternating irritable bowel syndrome (bowel habits often vary over time).