Abstract
BackgroundAcupuncture is effective in symptom and quality of life improvement of chronic asthma, but the efficacy differences between different acupoints are uncertain. In terms of the theory of Meridian-viscera Association, the study aims to investigate the different effectiveness between acupoints in Lung meridian and the acupoints in Heart meridian, so as to provide the evidence to develop a better prescription of the acupuncture treatment of chronic persistent asthma.MethodsThis study is a multicentral randomized controlled trial. A total of 68 chronic persistent asthma patients will be randomly allocated into two groups: the Lung meridian group and the Heart meridian group. This trial will include a 2-week baseline period, a 4-week treatment period with 12 sessions’ acupuncture, and an 8-week follow-up period. The primary outcome is the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Secondary outcomes are the Asthma Control Test (ACT), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1). The AQLQ and ACT will be collected at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12 after randomization. PEF, FEV1, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) will be assessed at baseline and week 4.DiscussionThe results will provide evidence for acupuncture prescription selection and the clinical efficacy improvement. The results of this trial will also be used to determine whether or not a full definitive trial will go ahead, which will further confirm the theory of Meridian-viscera Association.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=43803) ChiCTR1900027284. Registered on 7 November 2019
Highlights
Acupuncture is effective in symptom and quality of life improvement of chronic asthma, but the efficacy differences between different acupoints are uncertain
According to the theory of traditional Chinese acupuncture, the Lung meridian connects with the lung directly, while the Heart meridian associates with the lung indirectly. Both the acupoints on Lung meridian and on the Heart meridian are commonly used for preventing and controlling asthma in clinical practice [20]. This multicenter randomized controlled trial focuses on the efficacy differences of the two acupoint prescriptions for treating asthma by evaluating the effectiveness of the acupoints on the Lung meridian compared to the acupoints on the Heart meridian, respectively, so as to provide high-quality evidence for a better acupuncture prescription selection and improve the curative effect
Any other severe events will be recorded in the Discussion This is the first Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) focused on the efficacy differences of the acupoints on the Lung meridian compared to the acupoints on the Heart meridian for treating chronic persistent asthma
Summary
This study is a multicentral randomized controlled trial. A total of 68 chronic persistent asthma patients will be randomly allocated into two groups: the Lung meridian group and the Heart meridian group. This trial will include a 2-week baseline period, a 4-week treatment period with 12 sessions’ acupuncture, and an 8-week followup period. The primary outcome is the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Secondary outcomes are the Asthma Control Test (ACT), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1). The AQLQ and ACT will be collected at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12 after randomization. PEF, FEV1, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) will be assessed at baseline and week 4
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
