Effect of an Acupuncture Technique of Penetrating through Zhibian (BL54) to Shuidao (ST28) with Long Needle for Pain Relief in Patients with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is the commonest gynecological disorder in young women of reproductive age, and there is not always satisfactory relief of pain treated by common medications. Therefore, acupuncture has been used as an alternative therapy to relieve the symptoms of PD. In clinical practice, a penetrating method of acupuncture with long needle has been shown to be particularly effective for improving primary dysmenorrhea. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea as compared with a conventional pain medication. Methods. The present study is a perspective, randomized, ibuprofen-controlled trial. Sixty-two eligible participants were randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to receive either acupuncture treatment or ibuprofen administration. The treatment lasted for three menstrual cycles for both groups. The primary outcome was the intensity of menstrual pain measured by using the visual analogue scale at the completion of treatment. Secondary outcomes included the severity of symptoms associated with menstrual pain, responder rate, and safety of acupuncture treatment. The clinical outcomes were measured on each menstrual cycle at baseline, treatment course (3 cycles), and follow-up period. Results. Sixty-four patients of primary dysmenorrhea were recruited, and 62 subjects were included in the final analysis. At trial completion, acupuncture was shown to be associated with a significantly lower pain intensity and decreased symptom severity of primary dysmenorrhea as compared with ibuprofen (p<0.05). A significantly higher responder rate was found in the acupuncture group as compared with the control group (p<0.05). No serious adverse events were reported by patients in either group. Conclusions. The penetrating method of acupuncture with long needle may be an effective and safe therapy for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17012621).

Download Full-text

Acupuncture to Treat Primary Dysmenorrhea in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1093/ecam/nep239 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Caroline A. Smith ◽

Caroline A. Crowther ◽

Oswald Petrucco ◽

Justin Beilby ◽

Hannah Dent

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Treatment Effect ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Acupuncture Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽

Menstrual Pain ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference

We examined the effectiveness of acupuncture to reduce the severity and intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. A randomized controlled trial compared acupuncture with control acupuncture using a placebo needle. Eligible women were aged 14–25 years with a diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea. Women received nine sessions of the study treatment over 3 months. The primary outcomes were menstrual pain intensity and duration, overall improvement in dysmenorrhea symptoms and reduced need for additional analgesia, measured at 3, 6 and 12 months from trial entry. A total of 92 women were randomly assigned to the intervention (acupuncture and control ). At 3 months although pain outcomes were lower for women in the acupuncture group compared with the control group, there was no significant difference between groups. Women receiving acupuncture reported a small reduction in mood changes compared with the control group, relative risk (RR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–1.00, . Follow-up at 6 months found a significant reduction in the duration of menstrual pain in the acupuncture group compared with the control group, mean difference –9.6, 95% CI –18.9 to –0.3, , and the need for additional analgesia was significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared with the control group, RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.96, , but the follow-up at 12 months found lack of treatment effect. To conclude, although acupuncture improved menstrual mood symptoms in women with primary dysmenorrhea during the treatment phase, the trend in the improvement of symptoms during the active phase of treatment, and at 6 and 12 months was non-significant, indicating that a small treatment effect from acupuncture on dysmenorrhea may exist. In the study, acupuncture was acceptable and safe, but further appropriately powered trials are needed before recommendations for clinical practice can be made.

Download Full-text

Anti-adhesion Gel versus No gel following Operative Hysteroscopy prior to Subsequent fertility Treatment or timed InterCourse (AGNOHSTIC), a randomised controlled trial: protocol

Human Reproduction Open ◽

10.1093/hropen/hoab001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (1) ◽

Author(s):

S van Wessel ◽

T Hamerlynck ◽

V Schutyser ◽

C Tomassetti ◽

C Wyns ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Live Birth ◽

Financial Support ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Control Group ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Operative Hysteroscopy ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract STUDY QUESTIONS Does the application of anti-adhesion gel, compared to no gel, following operative hysteroscopy to treat intrauterine pathology in women wishing to conceive increase the chance of conception leading to live birth? WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) following operative hysteroscopy may impair reproductive success in women of reproductive age. Anti-adhesion barrier gels may decrease the occurrence of IUAs, but the evidence on their effectiveness to improve reproductive outcomes is sparse and of low quality. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This multicentre, parallel group, superiority, blinded and pragmatic randomised controlled trial is being carried out in seven participating centres in Belgium. Recruitment started in April 2019. Women will be randomly allocated to treatment with anti-adhesion gel (intervention group) or no gel (control group). Sterile ultrasound gel will be applied into the vagina as a mock-procedure in both treatment arms. The patient, fertility physician and gynaecologist performing the second-look hysteroscopy are unaware of the allocated treatment. Power analysis, based on a target improvement of 15% in conception leading to live birth using anti-adhesion gel, a power of 85%, a significance level of 5%, and a drop-out rate of 10%, yielded a number of 444 patients to be randomised. The baseline rate of conception leading to live birth in the control group is expected to be 45%. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Women of reproductive age (18–47 years), wishing to conceive (spontaneously or by fertility treatment) and scheduled for operative hysteroscopy to treat intrauterine pathology (endometrial polyps, myomas with uterine cavity deformation, uterine septa, IUAs or retained products of conception) are eligible for recruitment. Women may try to conceive from 3 to 6 weeks after receiving allocated treatment with follow-up ending at 30 weeks after treatment. If the woman fails to conceive within this timeframe, a second-look hysteroscopy will be scheduled within 2–6 weeks to check for IUAs. The primary endpoint is conception leading to live birth, measured at 30 weeks after randomisation. The secondary endpoints are time to conception, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates, measured at 30 weeks after receiving allocated treatment. The long-term follow-up starts when the patient is pregnant and she will be contacted every trimester. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work is funded by the Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Centre (KCE). The anti-adhesion gel is supplied at no cost by Nordic Pharma and without conditions. Dr. Tomassetti reports grants and non-financial support from Merck SA, non-financial support from Ferring SA, personal fees and non-financial support from Gedeon-Richter, outside the submitted work. None of the other authors have a conflict of interest.

Download Full-text

Consumption of a Double-Fortified Salt Affects Perceptual, Attentional, and Mnemonic Functioning in Women in a Randomized Controlled Trial in India

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.3945/jn.117.251587 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 147 (12) ◽

pp. 2297-2308 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Michael J Wenger ◽

Laura E Murray-Kolb ◽

Julie EH Nevins ◽

Sudha Venkatramanan ◽

Gregory A Reinhart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iron Deficiency ◽

Iron Status ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Deficiency Anemia ◽

Control Group ◽

Attention And Memory ◽

Double Blind ◽

Iron Deficient ◽

Mnemonic Function

Abstract Background: Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia have been shown to have negative effects on aspects of perception, attention, and memory. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the extent to which increases in dietary iron consumption are related to improvements in behavioral measures of perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic function. Methods: Women were selected from a randomized, double-blind, controlled food-fortification trial involving ad libitum consumption of either a double-fortified salt (DFS) containing 47 mg potassium iodate/kg and 3.3 mg microencapsulated ferrous fumarate/g (1.1 mg elemental Fe/g) or a control iodized salt. Participants' blood iron status (primary outcomes) and cognitive functioning (secondary outcomes) were assessed at baseline and after 10 mo at endline. The study was performed on a tea plantation in the Darjeeling district of India. Participants (n = 126; 66% iron deficient and 49% anemic at baseline) were otherwise healthy women of reproductive age, 18–55 y. Results: Significant improvements were documented for iron status and for perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic function in the DFS group (percentage of variance accounted for: 16.5%) compared with the control group. In addition, the amount of change in perceptual and cognitive performance was significantly (P < 0.05) related to the amount of change in blood iron markers (mean percentage of variance accounted for: 16.0%) and baseline concentrations of blood iron markers (mean percentage of variance accounted for: 25.0%). Overall, there was evidence that the strongest effects of change in iron status were obtained for perceptual and low-level attentional function. Conclusion: DFS produced measurable and significant improvements in the perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic performance of Indian female tea pickers of reproductive age. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01032005.

Download Full-text

An Open-Label, Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Pituitary Radiosurgery for Patients With Opioid-Refractory Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyx363 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

pp. 146-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pierre-Yves Borius ◽

Stéphanie Ranque Garnier ◽

Karine Baumstarck ◽

Frédéric Castinetti ◽

Anne Donnet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Analgesic Efficacy ◽

Standards Of Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Open Label

Abstract BACKGROUND Hypophysectomy performed by craniotomy or percutaneous techniques leads to complete pain relief in more than 70% to 80% of cases for opioid refractory cancer pain. Radiosurgery could be an interesting alternative approach to reduce complications. OBJECTIVE To assess the analgesic efficacy compared with standard of care is the primary goal. The secondary objectives are to assess ophthalmic and endocrine tolerance, drug consumption, quality of life, and mechanisms of analgesic action. METHODS The trial is multicenter, randomized, prospective, and open-label with 2 parallel groups. This concerns patients in palliative care suffering from nociceptive or mixed cancer pain, refractory to standard opioid therapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to the control group receiving standards of care for pain according to recommendations, or to the experimental group receiving a pituitary GammaKnife (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) radiosurgery (160 Gy delivered in pituitary gland) associated with standards of care. Evaluation assessments will be taken at baseline, day0, day4, day7, day14, day28, day45, month3, and month6. EXPECTED OUTCOMES We could expect pain improvement in 70% to 90% of cases at day4. In addition we will assess the safety of pituitary radiosurgery in a vulnerable population. The secondary endpoints could show decay of opioid consumption, good patient satisfaction, and improvement of the quality of life. DISCUSSION The design of this study is potentially the most appropriate to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of radiosurgery for this new indication. New recommendations could be obtained in order to improve pain relief and quality of life.

Download Full-text

Intensive Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment (MSAT) Is Effective for Patients with Acute Whiplash Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9072079 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 2079

Author(s):

Doori Kim ◽

Kyoung-Sun Park ◽

Jin-Ho Lee ◽

Won-Hyung Ryu ◽

Heeyoung Moon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Whiplash Injury ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Acupuncture Treatment ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Rank Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Korean Medicine ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Motion Style

In this single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial, we aim to examine the effects and safety of motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT; a combination of acupuncture and Doin therapy) on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Ninety-seven patients with cervical pain admitted to the Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, South Korea, due to acute whiplash injury were treated with integrative Korean medicine (IKM) with (MSAT group, 48 patients) or without (control group, 49 patients) an additional 3-day MSAT during hospitalization (5–14 days) and followed-up for 90 days. The mean numeric rating scale (NRS) scores of the MSAT and control groups at baseline were 5.67 (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.33, 6.01) and 5.44 (95% CI, 5.06, 5.82), respectively, and on day 5, 3.55 (95% CI, 3.04, 4.06) and 4.59 (95% CI, 4.10–5.07), respectively. The NRS change difference between the groups was −1.07 (95% CI, −1.76, −0.37). The rate of recovery of neck pain (NRS score change ≥ 2 points) was significantly faster in the MSAT than in the control group (log-rank test p = 0.0055). IKM treatment combined with MSAT may be effective in reducing the pain and improving the range of motion in patients with WADs.

Download Full-text

Efficacy and safety of cinepazide maleate injection in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16499/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jun Ni ◽

Huisheng Chen ◽

Guofang Chen ◽

Yong Ji ◽

Fei Yi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Thrombolytic Therapy ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Barthel Index ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Control Group ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Double Blind

Abstract Background: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Thrombolytic therapy improves disability and survival rates; however, to be effective, it must be given within 4.5 hours of onset. Moreover, thrombolytic therapy is frequently contraindicated. Therefore, alternative therapeutic options are required. In China, cinepazide maleate injection has been shown to improve the cerebral collateral circulation and further reduce disability in stroke patients; however, very few studies investigating this therapy have been conducted to date. Therefore, this study aimed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of cinepazide maleate injection in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke were administered an intravenous infusion of 320 mg cinepazide maleate or placebo once daily for 14 days. All patients were also administered basic therapy (citicoline sodium). The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤2 on day 90. Secondary efficacy endpoints included Barthel Index ≥95. Safety was evaluated by recording all adverse events (AEs), monitoring laboratory parameters and vital signs, and electrocardiogram.Results: In total, 937 patients with an acute ischemic stroke were included, with a mean (standard deviation, SD) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 8.8 (2.4) and a mean (SD) stroke onset of 30.9 (11.4) hours prior. Following treatment for 90 days, the proportion of patients with an mRS score ≤2 was significantly higher in the cinepazide maleate group than in the control group (60.9% vs. 50.1%; p=0.0004). Moreover, the proportion of patients with a Barthel Index of ≥95 on day 90 was also significantly higher in the cinepazide maleate group than in the control group (53.4% vs. 46.7%; p=0.0230). There were no statistically significant differences in safety parameters between the cinepazide maleate and control groups.Conclusions: The results of this study show that cinepazide maleate injection is superior to placebo in improving neurological function and activities of daily living, reducing disability, and promoting functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Cinepazide maleate injection was safe and well tolerated with no unexpected AEs reported.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry CTR20160292 and ChiCTR1900023827. Retrospectively registered June 13, 2019.

Download Full-text

The Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Yijinjing Qigong Exercise for the Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis on the Pain, Dysfunction, and Mood Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.792436 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Shuaipan Zhang ◽

Guangxin Guo ◽

Xing Li ◽

Fei Yao ◽

Zhiwei Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Functional Mobility ◽

Exercise Session ◽

Control Group ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Randomized Controlled

Background: Although traditional Chinese Yijinjing Qigong Exercise (YJJQE) is popularly used in China, to alleviate symptoms of people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are available to evaluate the effects of YJJQE in patients with KOA. The purpose of this trial is to assess the clinical efficacy of YJJQE for patients with KOA.Methods: A total of 50 participants clinically diagnosed with KOA are randomly (1:1) assigned to the YJJQE group (n = 25) and to the stretching training exercise (STE) group (n = 25), for a 40-min exercise session twice a week for 12 weeks. All outcome measures are collected at baseline and at 12-week ending intervention, which includes the primary outcomes of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Scale (WOMAC), the secondary outcomes of visual analog scale (VAS), mental component summary (MCS), physical component summary (PCS), Beck depression inventory (BDI), perceived stress scale (PSS), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Gait functional mobility data.Results: The YJJQE group did not have any significant changes compared to the control group on the WOMAC score after the 12-week intervention (P > 0.05), though the YJJQE group demonstrated better performance in MCS, BDI, and PSS (P = 0.002, P = 0.001, and P = 0.026, respectively) than the control group. No serious adverse events occurred in either group, and only mild muscle soreness was reported during both exercise treatments.Conclusion: Because no difference between both groups was shown, with regards to the primary outcome measurement (WOMAC), it can hardly explain that the YJJQE had an advantageous effect on patients experiencing the pain and dysfunction of knee osteoarthritis. However, compared to the control group, YJJQE appeared to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being including reduced stress, anxiety, depression, and mood disturbance to manage KOA. Further trials with larger sample sizes and follow-up studies will be required.Clinical Trial Registration:https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=60357&htm=4, ChiCTR2000037256.

Download Full-text

Auricular acupressure for hot flashes in patients with prostate cancer: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-27959/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jianfu Zhou ◽

Rongwu Lin ◽

Xuehua Liu ◽

Liguo Lv ◽

Shusheng Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Hot Flashes ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Control Group ◽

Random Allocation ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Auricular Acupressure

Abstract BackgroundHot flashes, characterized by intense heat sensation and diaphoresis, are common side effects resulted from hormonotherapy in patients with prostate cancer. Cumulated studies have revealed beneficial role of acupuncture as complementary and alternative recipe for the management of hot flashes. However, little is known about the auricular acupressure (AA), a micro-acupuncture technique whose therapeutic purpose is similar with conventional acupuncture. Therefore, this current study aims to explore the effects and determine the feasibility of AA for hot flashes in patients with prostate cancer.Methods/DesignThis proposed pilot study is a two-arm parallel, single-blinded, randomized sham-controlled trial. A total of 72 participants of prostate cancer suffered with hot flashes will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. Equal randomization is conducted using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. Sheng Zhi Qi (TF2), Nei Fen Mi (CO18), Shen Men (TF4), Shen (CO10) and Pi Zhi Xia (AT4) are selected as experimental acupressure points, and five helix points (HX 8-12) are used as sham control acupressure points. Participants in the experimental group and control group will receive AA and sham-AA treatment, respectively. The duration of the treatment is 6 weeks with two sessions per week, and the follow-up period is 12 weeks. The primary outcome is Hot Flash Score (HFS). The secondary outcomes include Quality of Life (QoL), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS). All outcomes measurement will be conducted before and through treatment period as well as follow-up period. Safety assessment will be carried out through treatment and follow-up period.DiscussionThis pilot study will for the first time advance our knowledge on feasibility of AA in alleviating hot flashes in patients of prostate cancer and provide preliminary evidence for a further full-scale trial.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900026694. Registered on 19 October 2019.

Download Full-text

Open-labelled randomised controlled trial of 12 hours versus 24 hours modified Pritchard regimen in the management of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia in Ghana (MOPEP Study): study protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032799 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e032799 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Titus Beyuo ◽

Emma Lawrence ◽

Elizabeth S Langen ◽

Samuel A Oppong

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Magnesium Sulfate ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

University Of Michigan ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Study Participants

IntroductionHypertensive disorders of pregnancy continue to be a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Magnesium sulfate therapy is the standard of care for seizure prophylaxis and treatment for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia respectively, despite wide disparities in dosing regimens and routes of administration. This study compares the clinical efficacy of magnesium sulfate in the reduction of seizure occurrence or recurrence with the 12 hours versus 24 hours modified Pritchard regimens in the management of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.Methods and analysisThis study is an open labelled randomised controlled trial. The study participants are patients admitted to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana with a diagnosis of antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum eclampsia or pre-eclampsia with severe features. All study participants will be administered a loading dose of magnesium sulfate, followed by maintenance dosing. Participants in the control group will receive magnesium sulfate for 24 hours after diagnosis, while those in the treatment group will receive magnesium sulfate for 12 hours after diagnosis. The primary outcome of this study is the occurrence of a seizure any time after the completion of treatment in the assigned group. Secondary outcome measures include maternal health outcomes, magnesium sulfate toxicities and fetal health outcomes. Data collection was started in October 2018 with a target enrolment of 1245 participants with severe pre-eclampsia and 844 participants with eclampsia with a projected study period of 2–3 years.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the KBTH Institutional Review Board (IRB) in Ghana. University of Michigan involvement is limited to protocol development and statistical analysis of de-identified data, and has been granted a Not Regulated Determination by the University of Michigan IRB. Results of the study will be shared at clinical forums at the KBTH and will be submitted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberPan African Clinical Trial Registry through the South African Medical Research Council (PACTR201811515303983).

Download Full-text

Immediate Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on the Gait of Patients with Subacute Intracerebral Haemorrhage Analysed by Three-Dimensional Motion: Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial

Acupuncture in Medicine ◽

10.1136/acupmed-2016-011272 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 71-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hai-Qiao Wang ◽

Gui-Rong Dong ◽

Chun-Ling Bao ◽

Zhi-Hua Jiao

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Acupuncture Treatment ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Scalp Acupuncture ◽

Control Group ◽

Kinematic Parameters ◽

Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽

Randomised Controlled

Objective To investigate the immediate effect of scalp acupuncture on walking pattern, using three-dimensional gait analysis (3D-GA), among patients in the subacute stage of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Methods A subset of 30 patients with subacute ICH participating in a recently published randomised controlled trial who were able to walk independently were assessed by 3D-GA before and immediately after scalp acupuncture treatment (treatment group) or no intervention (control group) and the results presented here as a secondary analysis. The acupuncture manipulation was repeated three times with an interval of 5 min. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters during walking were collected and analysed using a 3D motion analysis system. Results After treatment, there were significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the spatiotemporal parameters of step length, velocity and cadence (p<0.05) and double-limb support. No significant difference was found in step width. When kinematic parameters were evaluated, the treatment group showed a significantly decreased peak pelvic anterior tilt angle and an increased hip extension angle after scalp acupuncture treatment, whereas the control group demonstrated no temporal changes. There were no significant changes in any other kinematic parameters in either group. Conclusions As the first exploratory study to investigate the effect of the scalp acupuncture on gait performance in patients with subacute ICH, this secondary analysis of a recent randomised trial suggested an immediate effect of treatment on spatiotemporal parameters. Improvement in gait pattern may be associated with a decreased anterior tilt of the pelvis and augmented hip joint motion during walking. Trial Registration Number ChiCTR-TRC-08000225; Post-results.

Download Full-text