Background Lower back pain and stiffness are the typical symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this study, muscle mass was assessed by muscle density, mechanical elasticity, and area. We investigated the characteristics of lumbar paraspinal-muscle (PSM) mass using muscle ultrasound shear-wave elastography (SWE), as well as the validity of this method for identifying patients with AS. Methods We recruited a representative cohort of 30 AS patients, and 27 healthy volunteers who were age- and sex-matched to the patient study group. Results Young’s modulus (YM) of SWE in AS patients was significantly higher than that in volunteers. Percentage change in lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness were significantly lower in AS patients than in healthy volunteers on the left side of the body. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between percentage change in CSA and thickness in both volunteers and AS patients. In AS patients, YM was negatively correlated with percentage change of CSA and thickness on the right side, while increased disease duration in AS was associated with increased YM on the left. Conclusion AS patients showed reductions in LM muscle mass and function as the disease progressed, SWE could reflect these changes well. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000031476. Registered 02/04/2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.

Introduction Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most common mental complication after stroke and has a serious impact on functional outcomes and quality of life. Antidepressants are the first-line treatment for PSD, but many reported side effects remain. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture has a positive effect on PSD. This trial aims to study the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for PSD and to explore its effect on cognitive function. It is hypothesized that acupuncture treatment improves depressive symptoms, cognitive behavior, and negative emotion processing bias in PSD. Methods In this randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded trial, fifty-six people with PSD will be randomly allocated into the intervention (n=28) or control (n=28) groups. The intervention group will receive acupuncture treatment, and the control group will receive sham acupuncture treatment, in 20 sessions over 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the change from baseline in the Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17) scores at week 4. Secondary outcomes include the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and latency and amplitude of P1, N170, and P3 of the event-related potentials (ERPs) components to assess the changes in cognitive function and electroencephalography. Outcomes are assessed at baseline and post intervention. Discussion Acupuncture therapy could become an alternative treatment for PSD, and it is expected that this trial will provide reliable clinical evidence for the future use of acupuncture for the treatment of PSD. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900026948. Registered on 27 October 2019.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a high-incidence disease in young men that interferes with patients’ physical and mental wellbeing and overall quality of life (QoL) (7). It is often accompanied by arthralgia, stiffness and limited lumbar flexibility. Acupuncture is safe and effective for reducing the symptoms of AS, but the underlying mechanisms by which it does so are not fully understood. Therefore, to objectively assess acupuncture efficacy, which is critical for patients making informed decisions about appropriate treatments, we will use shear-wave elastography (SWE) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) ultrasound techniques to evaluate elasticity of lumbar paraspinal muscles and blood flow to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in AS.Methods: We will recruit a total of 70 participants diagnosed with AS and 30 healthy subjects. Participants will be randomly allocated 1:1 to either an acupuncture group or a sham control acupuncture group. Primary-outcome measures will be musculoskeletal ultrasound and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). Secondary-outcome measures will be the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index (BASFI), Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). We will monitor the effect of acupuncture or sham acupuncture on blood flow and SIJ inflammation using SMI, lumbar-muscle stiffness using SWE and the lumbar paraspinal-muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) using two-dimensional (2D) grayscale imaging. QoL, physical function and fatigue will be assessed using an evaluation scale or questionnaire developed for this study, with outcomes measured by the ASQoL, BASMI, BASDAI, BASFI and FS-14. Mental state will be evaluated using the SAS and SDS. Healthy subjects will not receive acupuncture but undergo only musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline. Acupuncture and sham control acupuncture interventions will be conducted for 30 min, 2–3 times/week for 12 weeks. Musculoskeletal ultrasound will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention, while other outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 weeks and post-intervention. The statistician, outcome assessor and participants will be blinded to treatment allocation.Discussion: The results of this single-blinded, randomized trial with sham controls could help demonstrate the efficacy of acupuncture and clarify whether musculoskeletal ultrasound could be used to evaluate AS.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000031476. Registered April 3, 2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.