TAES for FPVCs: a Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Trial

Transcutaneous Acupoint Electrical Stimulation for Frequent Premature Ventricular Contractions: a Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Trial

This prospective, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) for patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (FPVCs). Ninety participants will be randomized to TAES group and sham-TAES group with the ratio of 1:1. They will receive TAES plus usual care or sham-TAES plus usual care for 6 weeks, and then be followed up for 12 weeks after the treatment. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with a 50% decrease of the 24 hour (24h) premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) after 6-week treatment. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of participants with a 75% decrease of the 24h-PVCs; the decrease from baseline of 24h-PVCs, total 24h-heartbeat, and the frequency of supraventricular arrhythmia; the score change from baseline in PVCs-related symptoms; the score change from baseline in SAS and SDS. Subgroup analyses will be performed in age, gender, and the severity of PVCs. Safety assessment will be documented during the whole trial.

TAES on Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Erzhong and Xin (Auricular Acupuncture Point); Usual Care: usual medicine treatment for PVCs.

Sham-TAES on Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Erzhong and Xin (Auricular Acupuncture Point); the same acupoints as the treatment group without any current. Usual Care: usual medicine treatment for PVCs.

Patients in TAES group will receive TAES and usual care. TAES will be performed on Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Erzhong and Xin (Auricular Acupuncture Point) for 6 weeks by using the Huato type SDZ-V stimulator; Usual Care: usual medicine treatment for PVCs.

Patients in sham-TAES group will receive sham-TAES and usual care. Sham-TAES will be also performed on Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Erzhong and Xin (Auricular Acupuncture Point) for 6 weeks by using a special Huato type SDZ-V stimulator. We cut the inner electric wire of the stimulator; therefore, there is no current output. Usual Care: usual medicine treatment for PVCs.

The PVCs will be assessed by a 24-hour Holter monitoring. The investigators will calculate the decrease of PVCs between baseline and week 6 (at the end of the treatment), then we will obtain the proportion of patients with a 50% decrease.

The PVCs will be assessed by a 24-hour Holter monitoring. The investigators will calculate the decrease of PVCs between baseline and week 18 (at the end of the follow-up period), then we will obtain the proportion of patients with a 50% decrease.

The PVCs will be assessed by a 24-hour Holter monitoring. The investigators will calculate the decrease of PVCs between baseline and week 6/18, then we will obtain the proportion of patients with a 75% decrease.

The PVCs will be assessed by a 24-hour Holter monitoring. The investigators will calculate the decrease of PVCs between baseline and week 6/18.

The total cardiac impulse will be assessed by a 24-hour Holter monitoring. The investigators will calculate the change of total cardiac impulse between baseline and week 6/18.

The change from baseline in supraventricular premature contractions will be assessed by a 24-hour Holter monitoring. The investigators will calculate the change of supraventricular premature contractions between baseline and week 6/18.

The symptom of palpitation will be assessed by a 10-scale VAS from 0 to 10, a higher score indicates a more severe symptom of palpitation. The investigators will calculate the score change of palpitation between baseline and week 6/18.

The symptom of chest tightness will be assessed by a 10-scale VAS from 0 to 10, a higher score indicates a more severe symptom of chest tightness. The investigators will calculate the score change of chest tightness between baseline and week 6/18.

The symptom of dizziness will be assessed by a 10-scale VAS from 0 to 10, a higher score indicates a more severe symptom of dizziness. The investigators will calculate the score change of dizziness between baseline and week 6/18.

The symptom of insomnia will be assessed by a 10-scale VAS from 0 to 10, a higher score indicates a more severe symptom of insomnia. The investigators will calculate the score change of insomnia between baseline and week 6/18.

the change of the proportion of participants with moderate/severe symptoms of palpitation, chest tightness, dizziness or insomnia from baseline

The symptom of palpitation/chest tightness/dizziness/insomnia will be assessed by a 10-scale VAS from 0 to 10. Score 4-6 are defined as the moderate level, Score 7-10 are defined as the severe level. The investigators will calculate the change of the proportion of patients with the moderate/severe symptoms between baseline and week 6/18.

Self Anxiety Scale (SAS) contains 20 items scored from 25 to 100. Score 50-59 was classified as mild anxiety; Score 60-69 as moderate anxiety, and score ≥ 70 as severe anxiety.

Self Depression Scale (SDS) contains 20 items scored from 25 to 100. Score 53-62 was classified as mild depression; Score 63-72 as moderate depression, and score ≥ 73 as severe depression.

The SF-36 questionnaire contains eight scales with two measures: physical and mental health. The physical health includes four scales of physical functioning (PF), role-physical (RF), bodily pain (BP), and general health (GH). The mental health is composed of vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH). SF-36 scores from 0 to 100, higher scores indicate better health status.

Subgroup analysis will be performed in the primary outcome. The investigators will classify the patients with two subgroups by age: ≤40 years and > 40 years.

Subgroup analysis will be performed in the primary outcome. The investigators will classify the patients with two subgroups by gender: male and female.

Subgroup analysis will be performed in the primary outcome. The investigators will classify the patients with three subgroups by the severity of PVCs through Lown: level 2, level 3, and level 4A

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed as frequent premature ventricular contractions; 2 ≤ Lown level ≤ 4A; 18 ≤ age ≤ 75; Volunteered to participant Exclusion Criteria: Severe valvular disease, congenital heart disease, pericardial disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, unstable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, aneurysm, congestive heart failure decompensation period (NYHA grade III or VI), cardiogenic shock, cerebrovascular disease, hematopoietic system disease, severe mental disease; Bradycardia, including pathologic sinus node syndrome, degree II or greater atrioventricular block; Those who have already had pacemaker or percutaneous coronary intervention, or who plan to have pacemaker or percutaneous coronary intervention; Pregnant or lactating women; Local sensory deficit, or allergic to current; May be allergic to percutaneous patches； Blood pressure ≤ 90/60 mmHg; Those who have participated in other clinical trials within 3 months.