Home-based transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for high-normal blood pressure: A randomized controlled trial.

The authors investigated the effectiveness of home-based transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with lifestyle modification on blood pressure (BP) control and explored the feasibility of the trial design in this prospective, randomized controlled trial. The authors recruited individuals with high-normal BP who had a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120-139 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80-89 mm Hg, or both. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either lifestyle modification combined with TEAS four times weekly for 12 weeks at home (intervention group) or solely lifestyle modification (control group). The primary outcome was the change in mean SBP at week 12 from the baseline measurement. A total of 60 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio, and an intention-to-treat analysis was performed on all of the outcomes. The mean difference in the change in SBP for the intervention group (compared to the control) at week 12 was -3.85 mm Hg (95% CI: -7.58 to -.12; p = .043); for the DBP, the change was -2.27 mm Hg (95% CI: -5.76 to 1.23; p = .199). There was no difference in the proportion of progression to hypertension, quality of life, body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. In addition, two participants reported TEAS-related adverse events. The authors found a reduction in SBP control in the pragmatic, home-based intervention by using TEAS combined with lifestyle modification in adults with high-normal BP. Trial Registration: The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR 1900024982) on August 6, 2019.

Home-based transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for hypertension: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the feasibility and effect of home-based transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in patients with hypertension. In this randomized pilot trial, patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to the TEAS group or the usual care group. Participants in the usual care group were instructed to continue taking their antihypertensive drugs and received education on lifestyle modifications. In addition, participants in the TEAS group received 4 weekly sessions of noninvasive acupoint stimulation for 12 weeks at home. The primary outcome was the change in office systolic blood pressure at week 12 from baseline. Withdrawal from the study and adverse events associated with TEAS were also recorded. Sixty patients were randomized, with 30 patients in the TEAS group, of whom 1 was lost at week 36, and 30 patients in the usual care group, of whom 3 were lost by week 12. The reduction in systolic blood pressure at week 12 was greater in the TEAS group (-8.53 mm Hg; 95% CI [-13.37, -3.70 mm Hg]) than in the usual care group (-1.70 mm Hg; 95% CI [-4.29, -0.89 mm Hg]), with a between-group difference of -6.83 mm Hg (95% CI, [-12.23, -1.43 mm Hg]; P = 0.014). No TEAS-related adverse events occurred. In conclusion, home-based TEAS added to usual care for patients with hypertension was acceptable and safe and may be a potential treatment option. A larger randomized controlled trial of this intervention is warranted.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for high-normal blood pressure: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: High-normal blood pressure (BP) is associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular mortality and frequently progresses to hypertension. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) might be a non-pharmaceutical therapy option to control BP. This trial aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of TEAS combined with lifestyle modification for high-normal BP. METHODS/DESIGN: This prospective, randomized, and parallel clinical trial will be conducted in a community service center in China. Sixty participants with high-normal BP will be randomly allocated to receive TEAS plus lifestyle modification (intervention group) or lifestyle modification alone (control group) in a 1:1 ratio. In addition to lifestyle modification, the intervention group will receive TEAS at four acupoints for 30 min, 4 times weekly for 12 weeks for a total of 48 sessions at home. The control group will receive same lifestyle modification but no TEAS. The primary outcome will be the change in mean systolic blood pressure at 12 weeks from the baseline measurement. Secondary outcomes include the change of mean diastolic blood pressure, proportion of subjects with progression to hypertension, quality of life, body mass index, and waist circumference. Adverse events during the trial will be monitored. DISCUSSION: This trial will explore the feasibility and provide potential evidence for the effectiveness and safety of TEAS plus lifestyle modification for high-normal BP. Furthermore, this pilot trial is being undertaken to determine the feasibility of a full scale definitive randomized controlled trial. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR 1900024982 . Registered on August 6, 2019.

Effects of electroacupuncture on the intestinal motility and local inflammation are modulated by acupoint selection and stimulation frequency in postoperative ileus mice.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) is widely used in various gastrointestinal diseases around the world, including POI. Here, we investigated different therapeutic effects of EA using lower limb and abdomen acupoints. METHODS: Intestinal manipulation was performed in 88 mice, and eight mice underwent a sham operation. Forty mice were randomly divided into model group and four EA groups receiving stimulation at ST36 (2, 10, 30, 100 Hz). The most effective frequency was then used in the following experiments. Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into six groups receiving EA treatment at ST37, ST39, ST25, CV4, CV12, and a non-acupuncture point. Gastrointestinal motility and plasma TNF-α, IL-6 were evaluated in all mice. The local immune response and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression were assessed by immunofluorescence, ELISA, and HE staining. RESULTS: ST36 stimulated with 10 or 30 Hz EA significantly increased the gastrointestinal motility and attenuated peripheral inflammation; however, ST36 stimulated with 2 or 100 Hz did not induce any effect. The therapeutic effects on motility and inflammation of 10 Hz EA in the ST36 group were similar in the ST36, ST37, ST39, or CV4 groups, but when applied to ST25, CV12 or non-acupoint had no significant differences. EA at ST36, ST37, ST39, or CV4 significantly inhibited local MPO activity, immune cells infiltration, and increased α-SMA. CONCLUSIONS: EA at lower limb and abdomen acupoints with the same stimulation parameters had different therapeutic effects on postoperative dysmotility and inflammation. Furthermore, EA protected SMC to improve gastrointestinal transit by reducing local inflammation in the intestinal musculature in POI.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for stage 1 hypertension: protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major pathogenic factor of cardiovascular diseases. Insufficient blood pressure control rate and sub-optimal medication adherence remain challenges for effective management of hypertension. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) has been used to treat various diseases, including hypertension, but the scientific evidence for its benefit remains insufficient. Therefore, we will perform a randomized, controlled clinical trial in patients with stage 1 hypertension to evaluate the effect of TEAS. METHODS/DESIGN: The study will be a two-arm parallel, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients with stage 1 hypertension will be randomly assigned to the TEAS group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The participants in the TEAS group will receive non-invasive acupoint electrical stimulation for 30 min at four acupoints in the upper and lower extremities at home, 4 times weekly for 12 weeks for a total of 48 sessions. Participants in the control group will not receive any form of acupoint stimulation. All participants in both groups will receive lifestyle education on how to control high blood pressure, including diet, weight control, and exercise. The primary outcome measure will be the change of the mean systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include the change of mean diastolic blood pressure, quality of life, body mass index, and physical activity level. DISCUSSION: This pilot, randomized, controlled trial will explore the feasibility of TEAS. It will also provide potential clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of TEAS in the treatment of patients with stage 1 hypertension. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, this pilot trial as the precursor of a large scale randomized controlled trial will inform the sample size of the subsequent trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR1900025042, Registered on 8 August 2019 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=41496).