Anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects of acupuncture after craniotomy: study protocol for a parallel-group randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundDespite recent advances in the medical and surgical fields, complications such as infection, pneumonia, or brain swelling may occur after a craniotomy. In some patients, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis causes adverse effects such as itching, rash, or digestive conditions. Certain patients still develop infections severe enough to require a repeat operation despite antibiotic prophylaxis. Acupuncture has been used to treat inflammatory conditions, and many basic and clinical studies have provided evidence of its anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of acupuncture on inflammation and immune function after craniotomy.MethodsThis trial will be a single-center, parallel-group clinical trial. Forty patients who underwent craniotomy for an unruptured aneurysm, facial spasm, or a brain tumor will be allocated to either the study or the control group. The study group will receive conventional management as well as acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and intradermal acupuncture, which will start within 48 h of the craniotomy. The patients will receive a total of six sessions within 8 days. The control group will only receive conventional management. The primary outcome measure will be the C-reactive protein levels, while the secondary outcomes will be the serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels measured at four different time points: within 48 h prior to the craniotomy and on days 2, 4, and 7 after surgery. The presence of fever and infection, the use of additional antibiotics, the presence of infection, including pneumonia or urinary tract infection, and safety will also be investigated.DiscussionIn this trial, we will observe whether acupuncture has anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects after a craniotomy. If our study yields positive results and a placebo-controlled study also finds favorable results following our study, acupuncture could be recommended as an adjunctive therapy after a craniotomy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02761096. Registered on 27 April 2016. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1712-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of MOK, a pharmacopuncture medicine, on the TH1/TH2 immune response and antioxidation in Con A-stimulated primary mouse splenocytes

“…Growing evidence has indicated that acupuncture effectively improves various inflammatory diseases through immune regulation and anti-inflammatory effects 12,13) . Pharmacopuncture is a new acupuncture treatment method in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM).…”

Correction to: Anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects of acupuncture after craniotomy: study protocol for a parallel-group randomized controlled trial

“…In the original publication [ 1 ] was one author affiliation of the author Seung-Bo Yang incorrect. Only affiliation 2 belongs to Seung-Bo Yang.…”

Can Peri-Surgical Electroacupuncture Relieve Immunity Suppression? A Pilot Study in Dogs

“…Evidence suggests that acupuncture can regulate the immune system [10,11]. In humans, electroacupuncture (EAP), an application of electrical current on acupuncture needles, is reported to be effective in enhancing immune function by alleviating immunosuppression of patients during [4] and after surgery [4,11].…”

“…Evidence suggests that acupuncture can regulate the immune system [10,11]. In humans, electroacupuncture (EAP), an application of electrical current on acupuncture needles, is reported to be effective in enhancing immune function by alleviating immunosuppression of patients during [4] and after surgery [4,11]. Similarly, in laboratory species, EAP resulted in a decrease in lymphocyte apoptosis induced by surgical trauma [12] and in a restoration of suppressed lymphocyte proliferation [4,13].…”