Comparative Effectiveness Research of Electroacupuncture and TENS in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Arthritis, Rheumatoid focused on measuring Comparative effectiveness research, electroacupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, rheumatoid arthritis:, randomized clinical trial
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 20-70 years old
- Met the American College of Rheumatology criteria (2010) for RA
- Classification of X-ray : Stage I~III
- The participants' RA medication regimen (DMARD, NSAID, steroid)were eligible if they were on a stable dose for at least 3 months before entry into and throughout the study.
- All patients were instructed not to make any changes in their background therapies during the study.
- Intra-articular or pulse steroid were not permitted during the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- Be treated with biological agents, such as antagonist of TNF-alpha, IL-6, Jak, and CD20 mono antibody in the last 3 months
- Having history of serious drug allergy
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Bleeding or coagulation disorders
- Localized skin infections
- Uncontrolled or ill-controlled blood pressure with diastolic pressure≥110 mmHg
- Any other acupuncture treatment or herbal medication for RA within 2 weeks before screening
- needle phobia
- Intra-articular corticosteroid or pulse steroid within 4 weeks preceding the study
- Any severe chronic or uncontrolled comorbid disease
Sites / Locations
- China Medical University HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
electroacupuncture
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
The needles remained in situ for 30 minutes, during which time the acupuncturist returned to stimulate the needles once to re-elicit the de qi sensation. Participants have 2 sessions per week, with total 5 weeks and 10 sessions. The body points included LI4, LI11, SP6 and ST36. The individual specific points protocol are as follows: GB20, TE5, SP10, GB34, LV3, ba xie, ba fen, Ashi). The acupuncture protocol consists of the body points and some of the individual specific points depending on subjects' condition.
The protocol consisted of first swabbing all points with alcohol, then pads of TENS were sticked on the proper location of acupoints included LI4, LI11, SP6 and ST36. Electrical output of one channel was administered to the surface of body via a combination of two pads. LI4 and LI11, ST36 and SP6 are combination of acupoints, respectively. Participants had 2 sessions per week, with total 5 weeks and 10 sessions. Each session lasted 30 minutes.