Electroacupuncture versus manual acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the feasibility of evaluating the comparative effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) relative to manual acupuncture (MA) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in Beijing from September 2017 to January 2018. A total of 60 participants with KOA were randomly allocated to either EA (n = 30) or MA (n = 30) groups. Participants in the EA group were treated with EA at six to seven local traditional acupuncture points or ah shi points, and two to three distal points. Participants in the MA group had the same schedule as the EA group except that the electrical apparatus featured a working power indicator without actual current output, constituting a sham EA procedure, in order to blind participants. Both groups received 24 sessions over 8 weeks. The primary outcome was response rate, defined as a change of ⩾50% from baseline in the total scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) after 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included pain, stiffness, function, quality of life, and acupuncture-related adverse events (AEs) at 4 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: Of 60 participants randomized, 53 (88%) completed the study. Response rates were 43% for the EA group and 30% for the MA group by the intention-to-treat analysis. Although significant differences were observed in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores within both groups, between-group differences at 8 weeks did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio = 1.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.593-5.162)). Rates of AEs were low and similarly distributed between groups. CONCLUSION: Both EA and MA interventions in KOA were feasible and appeared safe. Whether or not EA may have a stronger impact on pain and function requires further evaluation through larger, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03274713.

Acupuncture of different treatment frequency in postprandial distress syndrome: A pilot randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The evidence for different frequencies of acupuncture treatment in postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is insufficient. This study determined whether 3 sessions per week of acupuncture treatment are superior to 1 session per week for symptomatic outcomes in PDS. METHODS: This 16-week randomized clinical pilot trial was conducted in an outpatient setting in China. Patients with PDS were randomly assigned to receive 3 sessions per week of acupuncture (group H) or 1 session per week of acupuncture (group L) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the complete elimination of core symptoms at week 4. Secondary outcomes included overall treatment efficacy, dyspepsia symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and depression. KEY RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized of whom 53 (88.3%) completed this trial. The complete elimination rate of core symptoms was 26.7% (95% CI 12.3%-45.9%) in group H and 10.0% (95% CI 2.1%-26.5%) in group L at week 4 (P = .095). There was a significant difference between H and group L at weeks 8, 12, and 16 (P = .038, .02, and .02). All secondary outcomes were better in group H at all time points. No serious adverse events occurred in either groups. CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed that acupuncture, at 3 sessions per week, tended to improve symptoms and the quality of life among patients with PDS as compared to once a week. Acupuncture treatment for 4 weeks was feasible and safe. A larger sample, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for PDS appears to be justified in the future.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at "experienced ten acupoints" for postprandial distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at "experienced ten acupoints" for postprandial distress syndrome. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with postprandial distress syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 5 cases dropping off) and a control group (31 cases, 6 cases dropping off ). Acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Tianshu (ST 25), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Gongsun (SP 4), Danzhong (CV 17) in the observation group. In the control group, 6 non-acupoint points were intervened with shallow puncture. The treatment was given 20 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks in the two groups. Symptom index of dyspepsia (SID) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) scores were compared before and after treatment, and the efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: The effective rate in the observation group was 76.9% (20/26), which was higher than 28.0% in the control group (7/25, P<0.01). After treatment, the SID and NDI scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the SID and NDI scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at "experienced ten acupoints" can significantly reduce the symptoms of dyspepsia and improve the quality of life in patients with postprandial distress syndrome.

Correction to: Efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

After publication of the original article [1], the authors have notified us that the Trial registration number NCT03274713 should be replaced by NCT03366363 in the Abstract section of the paper.

[Research Advances in Interventions on Subjective Cognitive Decline].

Subjective cognitive decline(SCD),a clinical condition in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease,manifests as a continuous decrease in the individual's self-conscious cognitive function but with normal objective cognitive indicators. Research on SCD helps to identify individuals at high risk of senile dementia and explore the effective prevention and intervention strategies. This article reviews the recent research advances in SCD,with an attempt to provide evidence for early intervention in patients with SCD.

Efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Although the available evidence for its efficacy is inconclusive, acupuncture is used as an alternative therapy for KOA. The aim of this trial is to determine the efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for KOA. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a study protocol for a randomised, three-arm, multicentre, clinical trial. A total of 480 patients with KOA will be randomly assigned to the electro-acupuncture group, the manual acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1:1 ratio. All patients will receive 24 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants will complete the trial by visiting the research centre at week 26 for a follow-up assessment. The primary outcome is the success rate: the proportion of patients achieving a minimal clinically important improvement, which is defined as ≥2 points on the numerical rating scale and ≥6 points on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score at week 8 compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes include the numerical rating scale, WOMAC score, global patient assessment and quality of life at weeks 4, 8, 16 and 26 after randomisation. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide high-quality evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of KOA. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03274713 . Registered on 20 November 2017.

Efficacy of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for postprandial distress syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) has a considerable impact on quality of life. Our previous pilot trial suggested that acupuncture might be a potential treatment option for PDS. We will conduct this large trial to determine the efficacy of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for PDS. METHODS/DESIGN: A total of 280 eligible patients who meet the Rome IV criteria for PDS will be randomly allocated to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group. Each patient will receive 12 sessions over four weeks. The primary outcomes will be the response rate of overall treatment effect (OTE) and the elimination rate of all three cardinal symptoms (postprandial fullness, upper abdominal bloating, and early satiation) at four weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes will include assessments of the severity of dyspepsia symptoms and disease-specific quality of life at weeks 4, 8, and 16 after randomization. All patients who receive randomization will be included in the intent-to-treat analysis. DISCUSSION: The finding of this trial will provide high-quality evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of PDS. Results of this research will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN12511434 . Registered on 31 March 2017.