Abstract
BackgroundAcupuncture is widely used in China to treat functional dyspepsia (FD). However, its effectiveness in the treatment of FD, and whether FD-specific acupoints exist, are controversial. So this study aims to determine if acupuncture is an effective treatment for FD and if acupoint specificity exists according to traditional acupuncture meridians and acupoint theories.DesignThis multicenter randomized controlled trial will include four acupoint treatment groups, one non-acupoint control group and one drug (positive control) group. The four acupoint treatment groups will focus on: (1) specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; (2) non-specific acupoints of the stomach meridian; (3) specific acupoints of alarm and transport points; and (4) acupoints of the gallbladder meridian. These four groups of acupoints are thought to differ in terms of clinical efficacy, according to traditional acupuncture meridians and acupoint theories. A total of 120 FD patients will be included in each group. Each patient will receive 20 sessions of acupuncture treatment over 4 weeks. The trial will be conducted in eight hospitals located in three centers of China. The primary outcomes in this trial will include differences in Nepean Dyspepsia Index scores and differences in the Symptom Index of Dyspepsia before randomization, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after randomization, and 1 month and 3 months after completing treatment.DiscussionThe important features of this trial include the randomization procedures (controlled by a central randomization system), a standardized protocol of acupuncture manipulation, and the fact that this is the first multicenter randomized trial of FD and acupuncture to be performed in China. The results of this trial will determine whether acupuncture is an effective treatment for FD and whether using different acupoints or different meridians leads to differences in clinical efficacy.Trial registration numberClinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00599677.
Highlights
Acupuncture is widely used in China to treat functional dyspepsia (FD)
We have described the methods of a clinical trial to examine the role of acupuncture in managing migraines [18], and we are currently conducting a similar study to assess the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for migraines
The 973 program consists of two clinical trials that attempt to clarify the specific effect of acupoints
Summary
Acupuncture is widely used in China to treat functional dyspepsia (FD). This study aims to determine if acupuncture is an effective treatment for FD and if acupoint specificity exists according to traditional acupuncture meridians and acupoint theories. Acupuncture has been used in China for many years to treat gastrointestinal symptoms, including acute and chronic gastroenteritis, diarrhea, constipation and gastroduodenal ulcers [14]. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for FD, with regards to dyspeptic symptoms, belching and anorexia [15,16,17].
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