Effects of Acupuncture on Symptoms of Stable Angina: A Randomized Controlled Trial
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a standardized 12-point acupuncture protocol will reduce pain in participants with stable angina. This study addresses the critical need to reduce persistent pain for angina. The investigators long-term goal is symptom management for diverse women and men with angina, targeting additional angina burden borne of social disadvantage Participants will be randomized to a 10-acupuncture session protocol, two treatments per week for five weeks, or an attention control group. Participants will view designated, non-pain related Technology, Entertainment, Design Talks equal to the time spent receiving acupuncture (\~7.5-10 hrs.). The investigators will test the efficacy of acupuncture for stable angina/chest pain syndrome to reduce pain and symptoms, improve health-related quality of life, reduce healthcare utilization and and improve patient related health outcomes.
Description
Enrollment: The research specialist will explain the nature of the study, risks, benefits, voluntary nature of participation, and the right to discontinue participation at any time without consequences. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be randomized to the acupuncture or attention control group via REDCap's randomization module, based on the stratified, permuted block schedule prepared by our biostatistician. All participants will complete the following measures at baseline: pain now, worst pain, least pain, the Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptom Checklist, the Seattle Angina…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of stable angina or chest pain syndrome for at least 1 month (pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body) * Treated with medical therapy for at least 1 month * Experiencing symptoms at least once per week * Speak and read English * 21 years of age minimum Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy as some acupuncture points included in the protocol are contraindicated in pregnancy * Physical or cognitive limitations that will prevent informed consent or completion of study tasks * Use of steroid or prescription analgesic medications * Co…
Interventions
- ProcedureAcupuncture
The acupuncturist will swab each point with alcohol. Needles will be inserted and retained for 30 minutes. Each needle will be rotated 3 times to stimulate the qi in the meridian; 10 minutes after insertion, 20 minutes after insertion, and just prior to removal at 30 minutes. Needles will be inserted using the standards of clean needle technique established by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. One size acupuncture needle, 0.25 diameter × 40 mm length, will be used. All acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable, and made of surgical stainless steel with stainless steel wound heads. Sessions will be repeated twice weekly (with at least 2 off days in between) for 5 weeks (10 sessions).
- OtherAttention control
Viewing non-pain related TED talk videos over 5 weeks approximately equal to 10 hours of treatment for the acupuncture group.
Location
- UCLA School of NursingLos Angeles, California