Acupuncture to Improve Symptoms for Stable Angina: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Cardiology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Acupuncture shows analgesic effects in Chinese patients with stable angina.
• Proposed mechanism involves downregulating inflammatory markers like M1 macrophages and cytokines.
• Investigating these effects in American patients is crucial due to healthcare system variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test a 10-session, 5-week acupuncture protocol for stable angina symptoms.
• To evaluate acupuncture as a complementary therapy for American patients.
• To assess feasibility, acceptability, and effect sizes for future trials.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 69 adults diagnosed with stable angina.
• Experimental group receives standardized acupuncture; control group views health education videos.
• Primary outcomes include anginal pain and quality of life, measured by McGill and Seattle Angina Questionnaires.
• Inflammatory cytokines measured at baseline and study completion.

Main Results:

• Study is currently recruiting participants.
• Initial results are expected by December 2020.
• Funding provided by the National Institutes of Health.

Conclusions:

• Data on feasibility, acceptability, and effect sizes will be generated.
• Protocol revisions will be informed for a larger, fully powered RCT.
• Findings may reveal if persistent ischemic symptoms involve a proinflammatory state and hyperalgesia unresponsive to medication.