Effect of acupuncture and its influence on cerebral activity in functional dyspepsia patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent gastric disorder that is difficult to manage due to lack of satisfactory treatments. Acupuncture has been studied with regard to the rising need for treating FD, but the mechanism verifying its efficacy has not yet been fully revealed. The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture for FD compared with a sham group.Methods/designWe describe a proposal for a randomized, assessor-blind, sham-controlled trial with 70 eligible participants who will be randomly allocated either into an acupuncture or a sham group. Participants in the acupuncture group will receive 10 sessions of real acupuncture treatment and those in the sham group will be treated with identical sessions using a Streitberger needle. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and metabolomics studies will be implemented before and after 4 weeks of treatment to investigate the mechanism of acupuncture. The primary outcome is a proportion of responders with adequate symptom relief and the secondary outcomes include the Nepean Dyspepsia Index - Korean version, Functional Dyspepsia-Related Quality of Life questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, perception of bodily sensation questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale. The outcomes will be evaluated before and after the treatment.DiscussionThis is the first large-scale trial evaluating the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture with fMRI and metabolomic methods. We will compare real acupuncture with the Streitberger sham needle to verify the specific effect of acupuncture. The results of this trial are expected to be relevant evidences affecting policy and decision-makers associated with routine healthcare.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02358486.Date of Registration: 21 January 2015.

The role of amygdala neuropsin/serpinb6 pathway in the regulation of gastric hypersensitivity and anxiety by electroacupuncture

“…Although the results presented in the current study are similar to previous studies reporting that EA can ameliorate abdominal symptoms in patients with FD, 28,29 the underlying mechanism has hitherto been unclear. A study 30 found that low-pressure (non-noxious) GD increases both heart rate and arterial blood pressure through the vagal nerve and some central nuclei, while under high-pressure (noxious) GD (80 mmHg), the splanchnic nerve represents the primary component in regulating the reflex effects.…”

Neural Mechanism and Effect of Acupuncture for Central Nervous System Diseases

“…Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a common visualization technique used to reveal local brain functions (Zeng et al, 2012;Ko et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2021b). Owing to its advantages of high temporal and spatial resolution, lack of radiation, fast imaging speed, and noninvasive nature, fMRI has become the most generally used neuroimaging technique in the study of the central mechanisms of acupuncture and the brain's response to acupuncture stimulation Huang et al, 2022).…”

Neural Mechanism and Effect of Acupuncture for Central Nervous System Diseases

“…Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a common visualization technique used to reveal local brain functions (Zeng et al, 2012;Ko et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2021b). Owing to its advantages of high temporal and spatial resolution, lack of radiation, fast imaging speed, and noninvasive nature, fMRI has become the most generally used neuroimaging technique in the study of the central mechanisms of acupuncture and the brain's response to acupuncture stimulation Huang et al, 2022).…”