Efficacy Of Acupuncture In Patients Research Articles

Efficacy of acupuncture in patients with carotid atherosclerosis: a randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundThe current clinical management of carotid atherosclerosis is based on the control of risk factors and medicine. However, the risk of adverse events associated with the medicine resulting in concerns and low medication compliance makes it necessary to seek a safer alternative therapy. This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for carotid atherosclerosis.MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were included and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive real acupuncture or sham acupuncture for 12 weeks. The follow-up period was 12 weeks. The primary outcome included carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), plaque score (PS), plaque volume (PV) and grey-scale median (GSM). Secondary outcome was pulse wave velocity (PWV). Adverse events results were recorded as safety outcomes.ResultsFrom January 2021 to February 2022, 60 eligible patients were included. 55 patients (91.7%) completed the intervention and the 12-week follow-up and there was no statistical difference in demographics between the groups. At the end of treatment, the real acupuncture group had significantly reduced PS (P = 0.002), PV (P = 0.000), and improved GSM (P = 0.044). There was no significant difference in the reduction in cIMT (Left cIMT: P = 0.338, Right cIMT: P = 0.204) and PWV between the groups (the left BS: P = 0.429; the left ES: P = 0.701; the right BS: P = 0.211; the right ES: P = 0.083). Three mild adverse reactions occurred during the study.ConclusionThis study found that acupuncture had a certain effect on reducing the thickness and volume of carotid plaque and improving the stability of plaque with minor side effects. These findings suggest that acupuncture may be a potential alternative therapy for carotid atherosclerosis.Trial registrationThis trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ChiCTR2100041762). Submitted 30 December 2020, Registered 4 January 2021 Prospectively registered.

Efficacy and cerebral mechanisms of acupuncture for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized controlled neuroimaging trial.

Although acupuncture is recommended by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment guidelines owing to its effects on dyspnea, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with stable COPD and explore the possible involvement of specific brain regions. This is a prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 90 participants will be recruited from three centers and will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo acupuncture at acupoints on the disease-affected meridian (DAM) or non-acupoints on the non-affected meridian (NAM), in addition to routine pharmacological treatments. All participants will undergo 30 min of acupuncture three times a week for 8 weeks and will be followed up for 12 months. The primary outcome will be the severity of dyspnea, as measured using the Borg Dyspnea Scale and a visual analog scale at rest and after exercise. The secondary outcomes will include the multidimensional profile of dyspnea using Dyspnea-12, the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, and the COPD assessment test; quality of life assessments using St George's Respiratory Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; and additional measurements of exacerbation frequency, pulmonary function, and the 6-min walking distance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be performed before and after exercise to explore the potential neurobiological mechanisms of exertional dyspnea. Anxiety and depression will be measured and analyzed for their correlation with the activation of specific brain areas involved in dyspnea. This randomized controlled trial aims to use a multidimensional evaluation of the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving dyspnea in patients with COPD in terms of emotion and quality of life and explore the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effects of acupuncture on dyspnea from an imaging perspective. It is expected to provide strong evidence to support the use of acupuncture in relieving dyspnea in patients with COPD and those with aother diseases involving dyspnea. Additionally, it provides novel insights into the central mechanisms of acupuncture intervention and dyspnea. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/): ChiCTR2300071725.

Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThis study aimed to establish clinical evidence for acupuncture by analysing data from trials that demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) with the following research question: Is...

Neurological mechanism and efficacy of acupuncture for breast cancer-related insomnia: a study protocol for randomized clinical trial.

Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are at a higher risk of developing insomnia. The negative effects of cancer-related insomnia (CRI) include depression, anxiety, fatigue, aggressive pain, impaired immune functioning, decreased quality of life, and even increased cancer mortality. Although preliminary progress has been made in the treatment of CRI with acupuncture, the evidence is insufficient and the neurological mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture is still unclear. The study employs a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial design. A total of 80 participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the treatment group (n = 40) or the control group (n = 40). The former will receive acupuncture treatment, while the latter will receive sham acupuncture treatment. Both groups will receive 12 sessions over a 4-week period, three times per week (every other day), and each session will last for 30 min. Follow-up assessments will be conducted in week 8. The primary outcome will be the treatment response rate. Secondary outcomes include the change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the treatment remission rate, actigraphy sleep assessment, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Quality of Life Core Scale (QLQ-C30), the weekly usage of remedial drugs, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis. Data for the outcomes will be collected at week 0 (the baseline), week 1 (the intervention period), week 4 (the post-treatment period), and week 8 (the follow-up period). The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for patients with CRI in comparison with sham acupuncture. Additionally, the research aims to explore the neuropathological mechanisms of CRI and provide the first evidence on the characteristics of acupuncture treatment using fMRI. We expect that the results of this study will provide valuable scientific evidence of acupuncture treatment for CRI.Clinical trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ChiCTR2300070349: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=188677.

Assessment of anti-inflammatory efficacy of acupuncture in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundInflammation has a significant role in the onset and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Increasing attention has been paid to the use of acupuncture in IBD patients; however, its regulatory effects on inflammatory factors in IBD still require validation. Here, we systematically evaluated the effects of acupuncture on inflammatory factors in IBD patients. MethodsEight electronic databases were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. After evaluating the quality of the studies selected by two reviewers, the meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in IBD patients and the impact on inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-8 and IL-10). ResultsFour randomized controlled trials with a total of 228 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Acupuncture has a positive therapeutic impact on IBD (MD = 1.22, 95% CI [1.07, 1.39], P = 0.003). Moreover, it regulates the levels of TNF-α (MD =−60.58, 95% CI [−100.30, −20.89], P = 0.003), IL-8 (MD =−56.40, 95% CI [−60.02, −52.14], P < 0.00001) and IL-10 (MD =35.96, 95% CI [11.02, 60.91], P = 0.005) in IBD patients. However, the P value of meta-analysis in IL-1 great than 0.05.(MD =−27.90, 95% CI [−97.82, 42.02], P = 0.11). ConclusionAcupuncture has a positive therapeutic impact on IBD and can effectively regulate inflammatory factors in IBD patients. TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 are more appropriate inflammatory indicators for clinically evaluating the anti-inflammatory response in the blood of IBD patients by acupuncture.

Efficacy of acupuncture in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and its impact on gut microbiota: Study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial.

Acupuncture is used as an adjuvant therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but available evidence for efficacy is limited so far. Growing studies suggest that resident gut microbiota contributes to the development and progression of AD. Meanwhile, acupuncture is reported to treat gastrointestinal and neurodegenerative disorders via the gut-brain axis. Therefore, our aim is to confirm the adjunctive therapeutic effects of acupuncture for AD, and explore the relationship between clinical efficacy and shifts of gut microbiota. This is a randomized, participant-masked, sham-controlled trial. One hundred and sixty participants with mild AD will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either active acupuncture or non-penetrating sham acupuncture (three times weekly for 14 weeks) added to donepezil treatment (5 mg per day for 28 weeks). The primary efficacy outcome is the change from baseline to week 28 in the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog12). Secondary efficacy outcomes include other assessments of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Alzheimer's disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Gut microbiota will be measured using 16S rRNA tag sequencing. This rigorous trial will provide high-quality evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture as adjunctive treatment for mild AD, and identify the possible mechanisms of acupuncture from gut microbiota. [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05078944], ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT05078944]. Registered 15 October 2021.

Efficacy of acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) tightly traps modern people. Its incidence shows an increased peak during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. Acupuncture is regarded as an effective way to relieve anxiety symptoms. However, there are still controversies. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in patients with GAD. Four English and 3 Chinese databases were searched from their inception to January 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which acupuncture was the main intervention were included. The literature was independently screened and extracted by two investigators. The Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool was used for quality evaluation. Analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3.0 and STATA 15.0 software. The primary outcome was the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). The secondary indicators were the total effective rate, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). Twenty-seven studies were included with a total of 1782 participants. The risk of performance bias or reporting bias for most of the included trials was unclear. Combined results showed the acupuncture group had better outcomes in the HAMA score [MD = -0.78, 95%CI (-1.09, -0.46)], the total effective rate [RR = 1.14, 95%CI (1.09, 1.19)], the SAS score [MD = -2.55, 95%CI (-3.31, -1.80)] compared with the control group. Regarding the number of adverse events, the acupuncture group was safer than the control group and scored less grade in the TESS score [MD = -1.54, 95%CI (-1.92, -1.17)]. Acupuncture can effectively relieve the anxiety symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder patients with fewer side effects, but randomized controlled trials with large sample size and high quality are also required to support the result.

Randomized, sham-controlled trial of acupuncture for post-cataract surgery dry eye disease

PurposeTo determine the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with post-cataract surgery dry eye disease (DED). MethodsNinety participants with post-cataract surgery DED were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive true acupuncture (n = 44) or non-penetrating sham acupuncture (n = 46) twice weekly for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 8 in the noninvasive tear film break-up time (TFBUT). Participants were followed until week 12. Secondary outcomes included Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, meiboscore and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). ResultsThe estimated mean change from baseline in the noninvasive TFBUT was 1.52 for true acupuncture versus 0.77 for sham acupuncture (adjusted difference −0.75 [95% CI -1.39 to −0.12]; P = 0.02) at week 8 and 1.49 for true acupuncture versus 0.81 for sham acupuncture (adjusted difference −0.68 [95% CI, −1.29 to −0.07]; P = 0.029) at week 12. The mean change in the OSDI score was −20.13 for true acupuncture versus −13.44 for sham acupuncture (adjusted difference 6.69 [95% CI, 0.64 to 12.74]; P = 0.031) at week 8, but revealed no statistically between-group differences at week 12. Mean changes in TMH, CFS score, meiboscore and CDVA did not differ significantly between the two groups. ConclusionsAmong patients with post-cataract surgery DED, acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture resulted in statistically significant benefit on tear film stability. Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800020132)

Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A GRADE-assessed Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ContextAcupuncture is a promising therapy for relieving symptoms in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), which affects 9–16% of adult men worldwide. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for CP/CPPS. Evidence acquisitionNine electronic databases were searched. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of trials using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB 2.0) tool. Stata 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Evidence synthesisTwelve trials were included. The results of a meta-analysis showed that acupuncture had larger effect sizes (standardized mean difference [SMD] = –1.20, confidence interval or CI [–1.69, –0.71], acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture; SMD = –1.01, CI [–1.63, –0.38], acupuncture compared with medication; SMD = –0.91, CI [–1.29, –0.54], acupuncture plus medication compared with medication) in reducing the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) total score. In decreasing NIH-CPSI pain domain score, acupuncture also led to larger effect sizes (SMD = –0.94, CI [–1.18, –0.70], acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture; SMD = –1.04, CI [–1.29, –0.79], acupuncture compared with medication; SMD = –0.85, CI [–1.23, –0.48], acupuncture plus medication compared with medication), whereas the effect sizes in the reduction of NIH-CPSI urinary domain and quality of life domain scores were medium. Compared with sham acupuncture and medication, acupuncture appears to be more effective in improving the global response rate. Results from four trials indicated that acupuncture was better than sham acupuncture in decreasing the International Prostate Symptom Score. No serious adverse effects were found in the acupuncture treatment. ConclusionsCurrent evidence supports acupuncture as an effective treatment for CP/CPPS-induced symptoms, particularly in relieving pain. Comprehensive acupuncture treatment according to individual symptoms should be considered in future clinical practice and trials for CP/CPPS. Patient summaryIn this study, we further verified the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, especially in reducing pain.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture in patients with adhesive intestinal obstruction: A meta-analysis.

Background:Adhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO) is a common surgical emergency. Surgical exploration has a considerable risk of intestinal injury, and surgical treatment may greatly reduce the quality of life after surgery and cause AIO after re-operation. The nonsurgical treatment is effective for approximately 70% to 90% of patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). However, the high recurrence (30%) and mortality (2%) rates of ASBO are concerning. Moreover, the ideal management method of ASBO remains debatable. Studies have shown that acupuncture can also promote postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and prevent postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, and visceral pain.Aim:We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of AIO.Methods:Randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of acupuncture for adhesive bowel obstruction published until November 2021 were identified by searching 8 comprehensive databases. Data analysis was performed using RevMan v. 5.4 and Stata software v. 16.0. The random-effects model and the fixed-effects model were used to perform the meta-analysis on the experimental group and control group.Results:Twelve studies with a total of 892 participants were included. The results showed that the experimental group had a significantly higher effective rate (relative risk: 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.28; P < .00001) and a markedly shorter time of the first defecation (mean difference: −11.49, 95% CI: −19.31 to −3.66; P = .004) than the control group. The experimental group also showed a reduction in the duration of abdominal pain, and the reduced length of hospital stay. However, no statistical differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of the surgery conversion rate.Conclusion:Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of AIO. It can remarkably alleviate some clinical symptoms in patients with AIO.

The efficacy of acupuncture for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is considered a major public health issue due to its high prevalence and severe consequences. Several published studies have revealed that electro-acupuncture may relieve OSAS symptoms. However, the mechanism of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of patients with OSAS remains unclear. Methods and analysisWe evaluated the efficacy and mechanism of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of patients with OSAS. This was a two-group parallel randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients with OSAS will be randomly divided into an electro-acupuncture or shallow acupuncture group in a proportion of 1:1, and the patients will be administered 36 sessions of electro/shallow acupuncture treatment (three times a week for 12 weeks, 20 min for each session). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) will be used as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will include polysomnography (PSG), sleep quality, emotional state, and cognitive function. In addition, patients will receive neuroimaging scanning before and after the entire acupuncture treatment to evaluate neuroplasticity changes, including gray matter density, white matter integrity, and functional connections. Expected outcomesWe believe that the use of electro-acupuncture will be more effective in patients with mild to moderate OSAS and that the cognitive and emotional status of patients will improve after acupuncture treatment. In addition, we aim to clarify which brain areas can be altered by acupuncture in patients with OSAS. DiscussionThis randomized clinical trial aims to explore the curative effect and central mechanism of acupuncture treatment for OSAS. We will explore gray matter density, white matter integrity, and functional connections of the brain using fMRI technology. The results of this study will be significant to the guidelines for clinical OSAS treatment.

Acupuncture for de Quervain's tenosynovitis: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAcupuncture has been an alternative approach for de Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt), but trial evidence is still lacking. PurposeThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with DQt. Study DesignA randomized controlled trial. MethodsA total of 68 subjects with DQt were recruited from outpatients of Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, and Chinese medicine clinics, The University of Hong Kong, and were randomized into the acupuncture group (n = 34) and the waitlist group (n = 34). Subjects in the acupuncture group received 5 acupuncture sessions over 2 weeks, followed by a 10-week follow-up. The waitlist control group received assessments only in the first 6 weeks of the waiting period and received the same acupuncture treatment and follow-up as the treatment group in the next 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the general pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the end of treatment (week 2). Secondary outcomes were grip and pinch strengths of affected hands, the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (Q-DASH), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) at weeks 2 and 6. ResultsFrom baseline to 2 weeks, the mean VAS score decreased by 19.5 points in the acupuncture group and by 3.4 points in the waitlist group. The difference for acupuncture vs waitlist control was -16.2 points (95% CI, -26.7 to -5.6, p = 0.003). Acupuncture effects sustained for 10 weeks (mean difference compared with baseline, -30.6; 95% CI, -39.6 to -21.7). Secondary outcomes showed that acupuncture reduced pain intensity, improved grip and pinch strength of affected hands, and Q-DASH scores, but not the scores of WHOQOL-BREF in patients. No serious adverse event occurred during the study period. ConclusionsOur findings support that 2-week of acupuncture is safe and effective in the reduction of pain intensity, and improvement of strengths and disabilities of hand in DQt patients. Acupuncture also has long-term effects on DQt. Trial registrationThis study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03472443).

Efficacy of acupuncture in improving the symptoms and the quality of life of patients with moderate or severe acne vulgaris: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAcne vulgaris (AV) is a common chronic dermatologic disease that tends to impair the appearance and quality of life (QoL) of patients. Although several trials have indicated the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of patients with AV, the results of these trials have been contested, owing to potential bias in their design. Thus, there is a lack of robust data to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with AV. In addition, none of the previous clinical trials of acupuncture therapy for AV used QoL as a primary outcome or employed a sham acupuncture control arm. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating the symptoms and QoL of patients with moderate or severe AV.Methods/designOne hundred eligible participants with AV will be randomly assigned to an acupuncture or a sham acupuncture group (1:1 allocation). All participants will receive 4-week treatment comprising a total of 12 sessions (3 sessions per week). The primary outcome will be change from baseline in the Skindex-16 scale total score at treatment completion. The secondary outcomes will be Skindex-16 subscale score, Dermatology Life Quality Index scale total score, total lesion count and inflammatory lesion count, visual analogue scale scores for assessment of itch and pain, patient expectations of acupuncture, and blinding of the effect of sham acupuncture. Follow-up evaluation will be performed at weeks 16 and 28. All outcome analyses will be performed in the intention-to-treat population.DiscussionWe expect to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in ameliorating the symptoms and improving the QoL of patients with moderate or severe AV compared with sham acupuncture with more robust evidence. The limitations of the trial design are its single-center scope, relatively small sample size, and lack of blinding of the acupuncturists.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-1900023649. Registered on January 2, 2019.

Acupuncture for patients with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review protocol.

Background:The systematic review protocol is aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods:We will search the database on the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, Excerpta Medica Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PsychINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, including studies and published systematic review in the reference list and grey. And will use Cochrane Collaboration's tools to evaluate the risk of bias of the included randomized controlled trials. The Review Manager 5.3 will be used to synthesize collected data.Results:This study will assess the safety and effectiveness based on current evidence of acupuncture for AD, especially scoring atopic dermatitis, eczema area, and severity index, patient-oriented eczema measure, and quality of life.Conclusion:This study will provide high-quality recently evidence for evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture for patients with AD.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019135919.

Acupuncture for Premenstrual Syndrome at Different Intervention Time: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common gynecological conditions with no standard modern therapeutic schedule. Some studies have reported the effects of acupuncture in treating PMS, but the intervention time varies. This review evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture for patients with PMS and the appropriate time to initiate acupuncture therapy. The review has been registered on the “PROSPERO” website; the registration number is CRD42018109724. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed on 9 electronic databases from the time of inception to September 2018. RCTs studies on acupuncture for PMS compared with medication, sham acupuncture, or no treatment were included. Statistical analysis and investigation of heterogeneity source were carried out using RevMan5. 3. Results A total of 15 studies, comprising of 1103 cases, were included. Overall, acupuncture significantly increased the effective rate of PMS compared with medicine and sham acupuncture. Subgroup analyses showed no significant difference among different intervention time to start acupuncture treatment. Among the acupoints involved in the treatment of PMS, SP6, LR3, and RN4 were the most commonly used. Conclusions The current meta-analysis reveals that acupuncture leads to better effective rate, but the intervention time has no significant effect on the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for PMS. SP6, LR3, and RN4 are the most commonly used acupoints in treating PMS. However, large-scale, case-control studies with rigorous designs are required to provide more accurate evidence.

Acupuncture for chronic uncomplicated musculoskeletal pain associated with the spine: A systematic review protocol.

Background:Chronic uncomplicated neck pain, back pain, and lower back pain, with incidences of 18%, 17.7% and 36%, respectively. Although these three conditions occur in different parts of the body, we can summarize them as chronic uncomplicated musculoskeletal pain associated with the spine (CMPS) in accordance with the pathogenesis. Acupuncture is often used to treat them. We aim to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for patients experiencing CMPS.Methods:The following electronic databases will be searched from inception to Mar 2019: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Wanfang Database. All randomized controlled trials published in English or Chinese related to acupuncture for CMPS will be included. The primary outcome will be the visual analog scale. Adverse events will be evaluated as secondary outcomes for safety evaluation. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of study quality will be performed independently by two reviewers. RevMan V.5.3.5 software will be used for the assessment of risk of bias and data synthesis.Results:This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence of acupuncture for CMPS from visual analog scale.Conclusion:The conclusion of our study will provide an evidence to judge whether acupuncture is an effective intervention for patients suffered from CMPS.Ethics and dissemination:Formal ethical approval is not required, as the data are not individualized. The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed publication and/or presented at relevant conferences.PROSPERO registration number:CRD42018114806.

Acupuncture for postprandial distress syndrome (APDS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPostprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is referred to as meal-related functional dyspepsia (FD) and causes a reduced quality of life (QoL) for patients. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for FD, but few studies were particularly for PDS. This pilot study was designed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of acupuncture in patients with PDS characterized by postprandial fullness and early satiation according to the Rome III criteria.MethodsThis is a multi-center, two-arm, blinded (participants), pilot RCT. Forty-two participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the verum acupuncture group or minimal acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Both treatments consist of 12 sessions of 20 min duration over four weeks (three sessions per week). The primary outcome measurement is the proportion of persons who improve as assessed using the global outcome by the overall treatment effect (OTE) at end-of-treatment (EOT) (four weeks after randomization). Global assessment at weeks 8 and 16 after randomization is one of the secondary outcomes. The other secondary outcomes including symptoms, disease-specific QoL, and depression and anxiety will be assessed at weeks 4, 8, and 16 after randomization.DiscussionThis pilot study will help determine the feasibility and efficacy of acupuncture in patients with PDS.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN18135146. Registered on 7 July 2016.

The effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic pain with depression: A systematic review protocol.

Background:Chronic pain is a major public health problem and 30% to 45% of sufferers experience severe depression. Acupuncture is often used to treat both depression and a range of pain disorders. We aim to conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for patients experiencing chronic pain with depression.Methods:To identify relevant RCTs, the following databases will be searched electronically from their inception to July 1, 2017: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Chinese medical databases, and others. Manual retrieval will also be conducted. RCTs that evaluated acupuncture as the sole or adjunct treatment for patients with chronic pain and depression will be included. The primary outcomes will be based on a visual analog pain measurement scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale. The secondary outcomes will include scores on a numerical rating scale, verbal rating scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The study selection, data extraction, and study quality evaluation will be performed independently by 2 researchers. If the data permit, meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan V5.3 statistical software. If the data are not appropriate for meta-analysis, descriptive analysis or subgroup analysis will be conducted. The methodological quality of the included trials will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture checklist.Results:This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence of acupuncture for chronic pain with depression from several scales including visual analog pain measurement scale, the Hamilton Depression Scale, a numerical rating scale, verbal rating scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Conclusion:The conclusion of our study will provide updated evidence to judge whether acupuncture is an effective intervention for patients suffered from chronic pain with depression.

Randomized study exploring the combination of radiotherapy with two types of acupuncture treatment (ROSETTA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAdverse effects such as fatigue, pain, erythema, nausea and vomiting are commonly known in patients undergoing irradiation (RT) alone or in combination with chemotherapy (RCHT). Patients suffering from these symptoms are limited in their daily life and their quality of life (QOL) is often reduced. As addressed in several trials, acupuncture can cause amelioration of these specific disorders. Especially for pain symptoms, several groups have shown efficacy of acupuncture. To what extent the difference between traditional acupuncture (verum acupuncture) and false acupuncture (sham acupuncture) is in reducing side effects and improvement of QOL is not clear.Methods/designROSETTA is a prospective randomized phase II trial (version 1.0) to examine the efficacy of traditional acupuncture in patients with RT-related side effects. In the experimental (verum) arm (n = 37) an experienced acupuncture-trained person will treat dedicated acupuncture points. In the control (sham) arm (n = 37) sham acupuncture will be performed to provide a blinded comparison of results.DiscussionThis is the first randomized prospective trial to evaluate the effect of traditional acupuncture on RT-related side effects such as fatigue and QOL.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02674646. Registered on 8 December 2015.

English

English